SGA, Thunder hailed by NBA fans for win vs. 76ers With Paul George, Embiid, Maxey Out | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 14: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 14, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User accepts the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

The Philadelphia 76ers were without Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond and Kyle Lowry for Tuesday night’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder (and also rookie standout Jared McCain, who is out for the season with a lateral meniscus tear).

The team’s starting lineup—consisting of Reggie Jackson, Eric Gordon, Kelly Oubre Jr, Ricky Council IV and Guerschon Yabusele—combined for an average of 38.6 points per game. game this season going into the night. Council and Jackson each started the 2024-25 campaign. Pete Nance, signed to another two-way deal earlier Tuesday, made just his second appearance of the season.

So yes, the Thunder — currently the top team in the Western Conference by a comfortable margin — won easily on Tuesday, blowing out the depleted Sixers 118-102.

And no, MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t face much opposition, finishing the contest with 32 points, nine assists and two steals. It was an incredibly efficient performance as he shot 12-of-15 from the field.

So even though those numbers came against what is essentially the Sixers’ reserve unit, NBA fans were still impressed with the showing:

Brandon Rahbar @Brandon Rahbar

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has his 23rd 30-point game of the season.
SGA is #1 in the NBA in 30 point games. Giannis is #2 with 20.

Paul Byrd @P_Frank_00

One gives shai the MVP already

basketball enjoys @moneysnipershai

Shai such a good man

Raqi @ih8raqi

Yea Shai clearly da mvp lmao

Mr. smooth ✞ @Zidanie_

you just can’t protect shai

karank._ @officialKaranK

shai is MVP idc

@HowellToMetcalf

Shai is the clear mvp guy

The Thunder (33-6) may have been favored even though the Sixers (15-23) were at full health, and Shai’s performance has become something of the norm for the superstar guard.

In that regard, the biggest story from the game may actually have been the performance of Philly’s Justin Edwards (25 points, six rebounds) and Jeff Dowtin Jr. (18 points, five rebounds), a pair of players who are definitely not Philly fans. knew was in the NBA.

To put Edwards’ performance into further perspective, the rookie entered the night with a career-high 31 total points.

None of that is much consolation for the Sixers during another loss in an extremely disappointing, injury-ravaged season. But at least it made an otherwise scrappy match against a superior opponent mildly entertaining, and that’s something.