The Philadelphia 76ers dropped their third straight when they fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday 129-104. The Sixers hung tough with the defending champions for a half, but the Thunder used a big second half effort to put the Sixers away led by Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 28 points, five assists, and three steals while Paul George added 12 points, three assists, and four rebounds, Justin Edwards had 12 points, Adem Bona added 10 and two blocks, and VJ Edgecombe had 10 and five assists. Jared McCain added 10 and Quentin Grimes had 13.
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Here are the three biggest takeaways following the loss in OKC:
Thunder shut off Maxey’s water
Dec 28, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives between Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) and guard Alex Caruso (9) during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Maxey was phenomenal in the first half of this one as he was able to get whatever he wanted off the dribble against the best defense in the league. He put his head down, got downhill, and finished at the basket while also knocking down tough 3s. He had 23 points by halftime, but the Thunder do what they do best which is get after it defensively and forced Maxey into tough looks and limited the attempts he was able to find. The activity and the aggression they played with after halftime was a big difference and the Sixers were unable to find a way to respond and help Maxey.
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A lack of a second scorer
Dec 28, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) moves the ball around Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
When it comes to facing a team like the Thunder, it can’t be just one guy. While Maxey was playing very well, the Sixers needed somebody else to step up and be that consistent second option to take pressure off of him. That guy should have been George, but he was unable to do much in this one. He did shoot 4-for-7 from deep, which is a big help, but he shot just 4-for-10 overall so he wasn’t being aggressive and was unable to go shot hunting as the Thunder were aggressive with him as well. The Sixers need to find ways to get George going on nights like this one when Maxey is able to find a rhythm.
Turnover problems
Dec 28, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe (77) drives between Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) and guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The Sixers committed 23 turnovers leading to 31 points for the Thunder. George, Andre Drummond, and Maxey committed four turnovers each while McCain had three turnovers and Edgecombe and Dominick Barlow had two each. That’s not going to get it done against a team like the Thunder. The biggest stretch came in the third quarter when Philadelphia committed eight in the third leading to 14 points for OKC. This is something that has to be nipped in the bud as the Sixers move forward. They are going to be facing some tough teams going forward and they have to figure out a way to take care of the ball against the better teams.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: 3 biggest takeaways for Sixers following loss to Thunder on the road