Tobias Harris thrived with a stellar performance of 31 points and 12 rebounds, guiding the 76ers to a 121-114 victory over the Charlotte Hornets during Friday’s NBA action.
Embiid, despite his ongoing recovery from knee surgery, continues to make a significant impact off the court for the Philadelphia 76ers. His latest contribution came as a heart-to-heart with teammate Harris, aimed at overcoming Harris’ shooting slump.
“Joel has a very intelligent basketball mind in how he sees the game and what he sees,” Harris said. “He’s been with me here the longest out of anybody in this whole group and has seen ups and downs in my game. He’s seen me at my best and me at my worst.”
This conversation proved to be a turning point for Harris, culminating in one of his best games of the season.
“(Embiid) just said, ‘You had a rough seven-game stretch, not 70 games,’ ” Harris said.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets Updates
With Embiid sidelined, Tyrese Maxey stepped up, scoring 33 points and playing a crucial role in only the second win for the 76ers in their last six games. This victory keeps their hopes alive for securing a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference despite a challenging season marked by Embiid’s absence.
The Sixers’ resilience has been tested, with their record standing at 8-17 without Embiid, who was last season’s MVP. Maxey, now an All-Star, has kept the team competitive, especially in rallying from a 12-point deficit to overcome the Hornets.
Harris’ return to form was timely, highlighted by his efficiency on the court against the Hornets, where he was 13 of 19 from the floor.
“We’re going to need that from him down the stretch,” Maxey emphasized. “Even when Joel does come back, but especially with him out.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets Updates
The game also saw contributions from new Sixer Kyle Lowry, who added 15 points and 10 assists, showcasing the depth and potential of the team even in Embiid’s absence.
On the other side, the Charlotte Hornets are navigating through their own challenges, with the game against the 76ers marking their fifth road game in their last six. Despite a commendable effort, including a 27-point performance from Miles Bridges, the Hornets are facing another season without playoff contention, further compounded by recent roster changes and injuries.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets Updates
As the 76ers look forward to their next game against the Dallas Mavericks and the Hornets set their sights on the Toronto Raptors, both teams are in a race against time to solidify their positions and overcome their respective challenges as the season progresses.
