Hobbled Sixers Squad Captures First Win Streak of 2025

It’s no secret that the new year had been doing the 76ers no favors. Losing 7 straight to begin 2025 isn’t exactly the “New year new me” fans were looking for.

But somehow someway, Paul George willed the team to a win a night ago, and some Maxey Mania helped push the team past the Bulls tonight.

Paul Georges’ night ends early

Just a day after taking over late in the team’s upset win over the Cavs, PG left tonight’s game in just the 2nd quarter with nine points in 13 minutes of action.

Paul George will NOT return to Sixers-Bulls tonight with a left pinky injury.

The pinky bent very awkwardly on Nikola Vucevic's arm here… pic.twitter.com/wzJBxuyKgi

— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) January 26, 2025

Nick Nurse said postgame that George jammed his pinky finger. He will get an MRI on Sunday.

Tyrese Maxey Holds Down The Fort With 31

Maxey has been on a HEATER in his last 10 performances, averaging just about 30 a night. Tonight, Maxey kept up the great work, clocking out with 31/5/9 with some timely shooting as the Sixers pulled away in the 4th.

Already down Joel Embiid, PG, and Andre Drummond, Nurse was going to need some big-time minutes from some bottom-of-the-rotation guys and role-players, and he got plenty of them tonight.

Eric Gordon managed to carve himself out a respectable on both sides of the court with a final line of 13/2/2, as well as some very timely defense to keep Chicago at bay.

Kelly Oubre had a spectacular night dropping 22/12/3 as the DeFacto 2nd option for most of the night. Kelly also provided some pinpoint shooting down the stretch to help bury the Bulls late.

Even Reggie Jackson, who hasn’t recorded more than 10 points since November 13th, did his part tonight with 12 points off of the bench.

Even if it was just the Bulls, a lot of guys are continuing to prove themselves during the many injuries the team has suffered this season. Like I said, still just the Bulls, and I don’t want to overreact, but this felt like a step in the right direction.

Unfortunately, that usually coincides with two steps backward with this team so let’s not get our hopes up.

What do we know about the PG, Embiid, and Drummond injuries?

It’s been an even 3 weeks since the former MVP Embiid suited up now. After not taking the West Coast trip with the team, right about now is when that “7-10-day re-evaluation” is supposed to come out. However, he is ruled out for the Lakers game.

Paul George’s injury is just pure speculation at the moment. I wish I could say a “left pinky finger” won’t be taking him out for more than a game, but with the way this season has gone fate would have it be season-ending. Jokes aside, he’s a game-time decision as of the moment.

Drummond sat out the back-to-back with a toe injury, but luckily he’ll have a couple of days to recover, he’s currently listed as a game-time decision for the Lakers game.

It’s kind of a glass-half-full or half-empty situation at the moment. Half full being he should be able to return before the team’s trip to Detroit in just about 2 weeks. Key word should.

Half empty being the schedule is absolutely brutal. Lakers, Kings, Nuggets, Celtics, Mavericks, Heat. That’s 6 losses, maybe 5 if Jimmy Butler is gone by then.

Let’s enjoy the moment

In a weird way, games like this for a team like this should be cherished. With the trade deadline coming up, all of these role players so near and dear to our hearts could be shipped off.

But at least for tonight, we can go to sleep on a 76ers win. A shame most of the city could care less about the Eagles in the NFC Championship game.

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