Tyrese Maxey poured in a team-high 28 points with his trademark quicksilver handles and pull-up jumpers, but it wasn’t sufficient to prevent the Philadelphia 76ers from a devastating fourth-quarter collapse in a 112-108 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night at Wells Fargo Center. The defeat drops Philly to 13-10, exposing vulnerabilities in crunch time against a Lakers squad now riding high at 17-6, powered by LeBron James and Luka Dončić’s late-game mastery in this intense Lakers vs. 76ers showdown.
Tyrese Maxey Shines with 28 Points, But 76ers’ Late Collapse Dooms Philly in NBA Thriller
Maxey, the 76ers’ dynamic guard and rising Eastern Conference star, was electric from tip-off, slashing through LA’s perimeter defense for 28 points on 10-of-24 shooting, including 3-of-8 from three-point range. His 15-foot pull-ups and crafty drives kept Philly afloat, especially in the third quarter where he orchestrated a 15-8 run that built a 12-point halftime lead. At 24 years old, Maxey’s season averages now sit at 25.3 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.1 rebounds, solidifying his All-Star trajectory for the 2025-26 NBA campaign.
Yet, the narrative shifted dramatically in the final frame. Trailing by four with under five minutes left, the Sixers managed just 22 points on 7-of-18 shooting, plagued by three turnovers in the clutch – including a costly strip by Dončić on Maxey that sparked LA’s game-winning surge. “Tyrese gave us everything,” said 76ers coach Nick Nurse. “But in these 76ers late collapse moments, execution is king. We can’t let stars like LeBron and Luka feast on our mistakes.”
Maxey’s frustration was palpable postgame: “I hit some big shots, but we folded when it mattered. This 76ers vs Lakers loss 2025 hurts – we had ’em, but the fourth quarter exposed us.”
Lakers vs. 76ers Game Breakdown: Maxey’s Effort Overshadowed by Philly’s Fourth-Quarter Fade
The Lakers, down 56-44 at the break, flipped the script with a blistering second-half comeback, outscoring Philly 68-52. LeBron James erupted for 29 points, including a 10-0 personal run and dagger three-pointer that sealed the deal, while Luka Dončić’s triple-double (31 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists) dismantled the Sixers’ interior. Joel Embiid’s rough night – 7-of-18 for 20 points, with a 1-of-11 first-half slump – compounded Philly’s woes, especially sans Paul George (hamstring) and Jared McCain (ankle).
Philly’s bench lagged with 32 points to LA’s 38, and their 15 turnovers (vs. 11 for the Lakers) gifted easy transitions. The paint battle was tight (52-48 Sixers), but LA’s 14 made threes proved decisive.
Vital Lakers vs. 76ers stats overview:
| Category | Lakers | 76ers |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 112 | 108 |
| Field Goal % | 48.0% | 45.2% |
| Three-Pointers | 14/28 | 12/30 |
| Rebounds | 52 | 48 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 15 |
| Fourth Qtr Points | 32 | 22 |
| Bench Points | 38 | 32 |
This marks Philly’s third home loss in four games, raising alarms about their defensive lapses in high-stakes NBA Eastern Conference matchups.
Embiid’s Struggles and Injury Gaps: Root Causes of 76ers’ Collapse vs. Lakers
Embiid’s inefficiency – his worst shooting output since March 2024 – left Maxey carrying an outsized load, with Philly’s offense stagnating at 44.9% from the field. Knee concerns lingered for the MVP, who managed 20 points but couldn’t anchor the rim against Anthony Davis’ 22-point, 12-rebound double-double. Without key wings, the Sixers’ perimeter D crumbled, allowing James and Dončić to combine for 60 points.
The late collapse echoes Philly’s playoff heartbreaks, with Nurse pinpointing “mental lapses” in the fourth. As trade deadline approaches, whispers of bolstering the backcourt swirl – could a Maxey-centric core weather the storm?
76ers’ 13-10 Slide: Playoff Implications, Trade Rumors, and Fantasy Fallout
Maxey’s valiant 28-point stand cements his fantasy value as a top-20 NBA DFS play, but the 76ers late collapse 2025 dims their East title hopes, trailing the Celtics by 4.5 games. For bettors, Philly’s +3.5 spread cover tease turned sour, while LA’s moneyline payout rewards their resilience.
Relive Tyrese Maxey highlights, 76ers vs Lakers full game recap, and Embiid shooting slump analysis on NBA League Pass. With a brutal schedule ahead, Philly must rebound – or risk fading in the playoff race.
