Sixers Push Rockets to Overtime Before Falling in Thrilling 144-137 Loss
HOUSTON — In a game that proved far more thrilling than expected, the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers took the Houston Rockets to the brink before falling 144-137 in overtime on Monday night. Despite missing key players, the Sixers built a 25-point lead early but couldn’t hold off the surging Rockets, who extended their winning streak to seven games.
Sixers Start Strong with Red-Hot Shooting
Philadelphia came out firing, scoring 44 points in the first quarter and leading by 16 after 12 minutes. They knocked down nine of their first 14 three-pointers, stunning the Rockets, who were riding a six-game winning streak and tied for second in the Western Conference.
- Quentin Grimes set the tone early, finishing with a career-high 46 points and 13 rebounds, marking his second 40-plus-point game and fifth straight 25-plus-point performance.
- Jalen Hood-Schifino continued his impressive play, draining two early threes.
- Oshae Brissett, who recently joined the team, capped off the first-quarter dominance with a buzzer-beating triple.
The Sixers, fielding a makeshift roster, had only one active player from their opening-night squad. Ricky Council IV was the lone holdover, while Chuma Okeke and Brissett had just joined the team a week ago.
Houston Storms Back to Force Overtime
Despite the Sixers’ impressive start, Houston’s comeback felt inevitable. Led by Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. (30 points each), the Rockets chipped away at the deficit in the second half.
Philadelphia still held an eight-point lead with under a minute left in regulation, but Houston closed the fourth quarter on a 10-2 run to force overtime.
- Smith Jr. split a pair of free throws with 3.1 seconds left, but Alperen Sengun grabbed the rebound and scored the putback to tie the game at 131.
- Jalen Hood-Schifino had a chance to win it for the Sixers at the buzzer, but his jumper missed.
Key Moments in Overtime
Houston never trailed in overtime, opening the extra period with a 9-3 run. Philadelphia’s Quentin Grimes hit a late three-pointer to cut the deficit to 140-137, but the Rockets responded:
- Sengun sank two clutch free throws with just over a minute left.
- Aaron Holiday sealed the game with two more from the line with 12.1 seconds remaining.
Sixers Takeaways
- Young Core Steps Up: Despite the loss, Grimes, Hood-Schifino, and Justin Edwards all delivered promising performances.
- Lottery Positioning in Play: With the Sixers’ first-round pick top-six protected, the outcome helps their draft positioning.
- Jeff Dowtin Jr. Impresses: The two-way guard knocked down three early threes, continuing the best stretch of his NBA career.
Paul George Ruled Out for Season
Before tipoff, news broke that Paul George’s season is officially over. The nine-time All-Star has battled injuries all year and never looked like his former self. His 41-game stint with Philadelphia ends with averages of 16.2 points per game, a steep drop from his career norm of 21+ points per season.
At 35 years old, George’s decline raises concerns about the remaining $211 million on his four-year contract. With bone bruises, a lingering finger injury, and diminished explosiveness, the Sixers must now decide how to move forward.
What’s Next?
The Sixers continue their six-game road trip with a tough matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. The Thunder have lost just one game to an Eastern Conference team all season.