76ers Drop Two Straight Against Knicks and Hornets

Struggling Sixers look to bounce back against visiting Bucks tonight

Jan. 27, 2026 at 7:31pm

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The Philadelphia 76ers have suffered back-to-back losses, first against the New York Knicks on Saturday and then an embarrassing blowout defeat to the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. Despite strong performances from Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers failed to execute down the stretch against the Knicks and were completely outmatched by the Hornets. The team now clings to the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, hoping to regain their footing as the struggling Milwaukee Bucks come to town tonight.

Why it matters

The Sixers' recent struggles highlight the challenges of maintaining consistency with a star-studded roster that is frequently dealing with player absences. As they fight to secure a playoff spot, the team's ability to find a winning formula and develop better chemistry will be crucial.

The details

In the loss to the Knicks, Embiid scored 38 points, but Maxey was outperformed by Jalen Brunson, and Landry Shamet made key plays for New York. Against the Hornets, the Sixers were blown out 130-93, with Embiid and George sitting out. Maxey managed just 6 points, while 8 Hornets scored in double figures, led by Brandon Miller's 30-point performance.

  • The Sixers lost to the Knicks on Saturday, January 27, 2026.
  • The Sixers lost to the Hornets on Sunday, January 28, 2026.

The players

Joel Embiid

The Sixers' star center, who is averaging 25.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game this season.

Tyrese Maxey

The Sixers' starting point guard, who is averaging nearly 30 points per game this season.

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' starting point guard, who outperformed Maxey in the game against the Sixers.

Landry Shamet

A key contributor for the Knicks in their win over the Sixers.

Brandon Miller

The Hornets' star player, who scored 30 points in the blowout win over the Sixers.

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What they’re saying

“It's safe to say all Sixers fans would like to delete that memory.”

— adhammer, Sixers fan (hive.blog)

What’s next

The Sixers will host the struggling Milwaukee Bucks tonight, with the status of Joel Embiid still uncertain.

The takeaway

The Sixers' recent struggles highlight the challenges of maintaining consistency with a star-studded roster that is frequently dealing with player absences. As they fight to secure a playoff spot, the team's ability to find a winning formula and develop better chemistry will be crucial to their success.