76ers Overcome Nets in NBA Cup Matchup
The Philadelphia 76ers achieved a much-needed victory by overcoming the Brooklyn Nets with a score of 115-103 on Friday evening during the NBA Cup matchup. Key contributions came from Tyrese Maxey, who netted 22 points, and Jared McCain, who added 20 points off the bench. This win allowed the 76ers to end a two-game losing streak, even as they faced several challenges due to injuries.
Injury Challenges for the 76ers
Notably missing from their lineup was center Joel Embiid, who is managing a right knee issue, along with VJ Edgecombe, sidelined due to a tight left calf. Compounding their troubles, backup center Andre Drummond suffered a sprained right knee midway through the second quarter while attempting to rebound after blocking a shot from Tyrese Martin. Drummond’s injury left the 76ers even more shorthanded.
Nets Struggle at Home
The Nets struggled to secure their first home victory of the season, falling to 0-9 at Barclays Center—the only team in the league without a home win thus far. They had not experienced a home win since defeating the Pelicans on April 8. In this game, Egor Demin emerged as a standout for Brooklyn with a career-high of 23 points, with Tyrese Martin supporting with 16 points.
Game Highlights
The match saw the 76ers maintain a slim lead throughout, at one point up by 1 point in the first half. The Nets managed to close the gap with a powerful 11-2 run that included Demin’s three-pointer, which narrowed the deficit to nine points at 74-65 in the third quarter. Despite several attempts to claw their way back, including Demin’s late layup making the score 112-103, the 76ers managed to secure the lead when Quentin Grimes assisted Adem Bona, who made a decisive three-pointer, solidifying their advantage.
Looking Ahead
Both teams left the game with a 1-3 record in NBA Cup play, showing the competitive and unpredictable nature of this season’s early matches. Looking ahead, the 76ers will face the Atlanta Hawks at home on Sunday, hoping to build on their recent success. Meanwhile, the Nets are set to travel to Milwaukee for their next game on Saturday night, hoping to end their losing streak.
