The Philadelphia 76ers secured a 115-103 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in NBA Cup action on Friday night, led by Tyrese Maxey’s 22 points and Jared McCain’s 20 points off the bench. Quentin Grimes contributed 19 points and Paul George added 14 for the Nets, who struggled as the 76ers snapped a two-game losing streak.
Philadelphia had to cope without their starting centers Joel Embiid (right knee strain) and VJ Edgecombe (left calf strain), and also lost backup center Andre Drummond (right knee sprain) midway through the second quarter. Drummond injured himself attempting a block and rebound and immediately went down clutching his knee.
Brooklyn’s Egor Demin scored a career-high 23 points, with Tyrese Martin adding 16, but the Nets have now lost their last three home games this season, dropping to 0-9 at home—the only team yet to secure a win at home this year. Their last home victory was on April 8 against New Orleans at the Barclays Center.
The 76ers held a narrow one-point lead at halftime. Brooklyn managed an 11-2 run sparked by Denim’s 3-pointer, cutting Philadelphia’s advantage to nine points at 74-65 with just over four minutes left in the third quarter. Denim’s 3-point shot with 4:35 remaining kept the lead at nine, and Demin’s layup brought it to 112-103. With 1:13 remaining, Grimes found Adem Bona for a wide-open 3-pointer that extended the lead, clinching the win.
Both teams currently stand with a 1-3 record in the NBA Cup. The 76ers will host Atlanta on Sunday night, while the Nets travel to Milwaukee on Saturday.
Fan Take: This game highlights the resilience of the 76ers despite key injuries, showcasing the depth that fans love to see in championship contenders. For basketball enthusiasts, it’s a reminder that bench players can be crucial in turning the tide of a season, keeping the competition intense and unpredictable.
