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Tyrese Maxey returns as healthy 76ers rally past Hornets
Philadelphia's Big 3 of Embiid, George and Maxey help stop Charlotte's hot streak
Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:21am
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Fully healthy for the first time in months, the 76ers' Big 3 of Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey helped stop a red-hot Hornets team for a critical road win. Maxey made a thunderous dunk to tie the game in the fourth quarter, and George hit a key 3-pointer late as the Sixers rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat the Hornets 118-114.
Why it matters
The win was crucial for the 76ers, who are currently in the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The victory over the 10th-place Hornets gave Philadelphia the season series tiebreaker, an important factor in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race.
The details
Tyrese Maxey returned from a finger injury to provide a spark off the bench, scoring 26 points with 8 assists and 7 rebounds. Joel Embiid had 29 points and 6 rebounds, while Paul George added 26 points and 13 rebounds. The Sixers rallied from a 15-point third quarter deficit to secure the victory.
- Maxey had missed the previous three weeks with a right finger tendon strain before returning for this game.
- This was the first time the 76ers' Big 3 of Embiid, Maxey and George had played together since January 29th.
The players
Tyrese Maxey
The 76ers' starting point guard who returned from injury to provide a spark off the bench, scoring 26 points with 8 assists and 7 rebounds.
Joel Embiid
The 76ers' star center who had 29 points and 6 rebounds in the win, his second game back after missing 13 straight games with a strained oblique.
Paul George
The 76ers' star forward who had 26 points and 13 rebounds, including a key 3-pointer late to help seal the victory. This was his second game back after serving a 25-game suspension.
LaMelo Ball
The Hornets' star point guard who struggled, shooting just 5-for-20 from the field and 3-for-10 from 3-point range.
Brandon Miller
The Hornets' leading scorer with 29 points, but it wasn't enough as Charlotte's five-game home winning streak was snapped.
What they’re saying
“This is where we got to kind of pull away. So it was definitely an emphasis tonight to win for sure.”
— Paul George
“Feeling good. Keep playing basketball, obviously ramping up. I'm OK. Just got to keep playing basketball and get in better shape.”
— Joel Embiid
What’s next
The 76ers will look to build on this critical road win as they continue their push for a higher playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. The Hornets, meanwhile, will try to bounce back quickly as they host the Boston Celtics on Sunday in another key conference matchup.
The takeaway
This game highlighted the importance of health and having a fully healthy roster for contending teams like the 76ers. With their Big 3 of Embiid, Maxey and George all on the court together, Philadelphia was able to rally from a big deficit and secure a crucial victory that could pay dividends in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race.
