Player grades: Joel Embiid, shorthanded Sixers knock off Bucks at home

PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers were facing a tall order on Friday night when they played host to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Sixers were already missing James Harden, Tobias Harris, and Furkan Korkmaz entering the game, but they also lost Tyrese Maxey at halftime.

Despite all of that, the Sixers were able to lean on their star big man to lead the way in a 110-102 win over the high-powered Bucks at home. Joel Embiid led Philadelphia with 32 points and 11 rebounds with eight assists to carry them to a third consecutive win.

Maxey had 24 points on 9-for-12 shooting before leaving with the injury, Georges Niang hopped off the bench and poured in 17 points, Danuel House Jr. had nine points, and De’Anthony Melton had 10 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Shake Milton added 15 and seven assists as well.

Here are the player grades following a gutsy win:

With Jrue Holiday coming off the bench for Milwaukee, this offered an opportunity for Maxey to get into the paint and create for others early. He started his night off with his 3-point shooting as he rejected a screen from Embiid and then pulled up to knock down a triple to start his night. That then allowed him to get into a rhythm as he had everything working on the offensive end for Philadelphia. He was focused on scoring in this one and that appeared to be a big difference for him on offense. His injury late in the second quarter was a big loss on offense.

Even on nights when his shot isn’t falling, there is so much that Melton does to help this team succeed. He gets after it on the glass, he bothers the hell out of opponents, and he makes plays with his passing. There are still clearly moments where he isn’t sure where he needs to be on the offensive end, but that will come with time.

Getting the start in place of Harris, House Jr. knocked down an open 3-pointer and then drove into the paint and kicked out to Maxey for a 3-pointer. He had a few hustle plays as well to really give Philadelphia a boost as well.

It was a tough start for Tucker as he picked up two early fouls trying to make a few plays to get his teammates open for an open look. It’s also strange that he hasn’t gotten many looks at the basket recently. Obviously, his impact on this team is not as a scorer, but when he’s open in the corner, he has to get the ball and have an opportunity to knock down some open triples.

The big fella picked up exactly where he left off as he was knocking down jumpers, he was in control of everything on the offensive end of the floor, and he also had a big rejection of Giannis Antetokounmpo to start this one off. After the early onslaught, the Bucks buckled down on him a bit, but once Maxey went down, they needed Embiid to get back to his scoring ways and he did so, but the Bucks have a lot of size with Brook Lopez so that makes it tough for him. He did an excellent job closing it out late to lift Philadelphia to this win.

The Minivan got off to a very good start on the offensive end as he was able to get to the basket for a layup and then he worked well off a screen and drilled a triple. He then kept it going in the second half as he was able to find his groove on the offensive end. His impact and his work on that end was essential for the Sixers in this one.

In his initial stint, Milton did some good things. He moved the ball well and he also got to the basket for a layup. Once Maxey went down, he had to take his game to another level and he played well on the offensive end. He knocked down a triple and he had a nice night passing the ball. He also had a nice night defensively as well.

The Sixers continue to go to Reed as the backup center and he started his night off with a nice move around the basket for a tough layup. He also had a few moments defending Antetokounmpo and he was big on the boards.

Harrell only played five minutes late in the third quarter and heading into the fourth and he had a few nice moments. He just didn’t do enough to have a real impact.

The defensive stud only played two minutes in the first half as he continues to work his way back from a tweaked ankle. He only played two more minutes in the second half.