Tyrese Maxey leads 76ers past Hornets in Charlotte

Philadelphia beats Charlotte as Maxey returns in big win

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:00am

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A vibrant, expressionist painting depicting the explosive energy and dynamic movements of basketball players on the court, with neon-colored brushstrokes and a sense of raw athleticism capturing the intensity of the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets.Tyrese Maxey's electrifying performance sparks the 76ers' comeback win over the Hornets in a crucial Eastern Conference matchup.Philadelphia Today

Tyrese Maxey scored 26 points, dished out 8 assists, and grabbed 7 rebounds to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 118-114 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night. The win ended Charlotte's five-game home winning streak and gave the 76ers the season series tiebreaker over the Hornets in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Why it matters

This game had major implications in the Eastern Conference standings, with the 76ers and Hornets entering the night in the 7th and 8th playoff spots respectively. The win gives Philadelphia a valuable edge in the race for playoff positioning.

The details

The 76ers trailed by as many as 15 points in the third quarter, but Maxey's one-handed dunk early in the fourth quarter sparked a comeback. Maxey scored 7 points in the final period to help Philadelphia rally. Joel Embiid added 29 points and a key late block, while Paul George chipped in 26 points and 13 rebounds, including a clutch 3-pointer in the final minute.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 30, 2026.

The players

Tyrese Maxey

A 23-year-old point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers who returned from a finger injury to lead his team to victory.

Joel Embiid

A 29-year-old center for the Philadelphia 76ers who scored 29 points and made a key late defensive play.

Paul George

A 35-year-old forward for the Philadelphia 76ers who scored 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, including a clutch 3-pointer in the final minute.

LaMelo Ball

A 24-year-old point guard for the Charlotte Hornets who struggled to find his rhythm in the loss.

Brandon Miller

A 22-year-old forward for the Charlotte Hornets who led the team with 29 points in the defeat.

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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, Philadelphia 76ers forward

“I let the game come to me at the beginning. Everybody was like, 'Dude, all right. We know you just got back. Come on, let's play.' And I was like, 'I got you.'”

— Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers guard

“Feeling good. Keep playing basketball, obviously ramping up. I'm OK. Just got to keep playing basketball and get in better shape.”

— Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers center

What’s next

The 76ers and Hornets will meet again on April 5th in Philadelphia, where they will look to further solidify their playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

This game showcased the 76ers' depth and resilience, as they were able to overcome a double-digit deficit on the road against a fellow playoff contender. The return of Tyrese Maxey was a key factor, and the continued strong play of Joel Embiid and Paul George bodes well for Philadelphia's postseason aspirations.