76ers Vs Pelicans: Maxey issues stark reality check after 126-111 upset
In the wake of a 126-111 upset, the 76ers vs pelicans meeting left Tyrese Maxey blunt about what Philadelphia must fix: control momentum from start to finish. The loss stretched the 76ers’ slide to a fourth straight defeat and leaves immediate questions for a team positioned 30-26 in the East.
Maxey’s message after the Pelicans loss
Tyrese Maxey, who is halfway through the sixth season of his NBA career with the 76ers, delivered a candid assessment after the game. Speaking to NBC Sports Philadelphia, he said the club must climb out of self-made holes and stick together through highs and lows. He pointed to a strong first half and a solid start to the third, then conceded that New Orleans hit big shots that swung momentum and made a comeback too late.
Game Recap: Pelicans 126, 76ers 111
Philadelphia fell 126-111 in what the coverage called an upset on Saturday night. Four players scored in double-digits for the 76ers in the loss. Maxey finished with 27 points, seven assists, five steals and three rebounds, shooting 9-of-23 from the field, 2-of-11 from beyond the arc and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line.
Scoring support but not enough
Kelly Oubre Jr. paced close behind with 25 points and five rebounds. VJ Edgecombe added 14 points and five rebounds, and Quentin Grimes had 11 points and three assists. Even with those contributions, Philadelphia could not overcome New Orleans’ runs that produced the final 15-point margin.
Standings, streak and context
The loss left Philadelphia at 30-26 on the season, holding the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The team sits above the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic while trailing the Toronto Raptors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Observers framed the result as part of the Sixers’ slide to a 4th straight loss against a lowly Pelicans club.
What the coverage and fans highlighted
The piece headlined "76ers’ Tyrese Maxey drops stark reality check after loss to Pelicans" appeared first on ClutchPoints. NBC Sports Philadelphia posted a clip of Maxey’s comments on social media. Side coverage included a breakdown from Nick Nurse on where the 76ers went wrong vs. Pelicans and fan reaction demanding Daryl Morey’s job after the ugly loss.
What’s next
Philadelphia remains on the road for its next game: the 76ers visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Feb. 22 at 7 p. m. ET. The team will need to address the momentum swings Maxey highlighted before that matchup if it hopes to stop the four-game slide and protect its standing in the Eastern Conference.
