Paul George set a career high in a Sixers uniform with 39 points and visiting Philadelphia, playing without Joel Embiid, had an offensive outburst in a 153-131 win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.
George was 15 of 22 from the floor and made six threes while playing 30 minutes. Tyrese Maxey had 28 points and rookie VJ Edgecombe added 23 as the Sixers shot a season-high 61.6% from the floor, including 48.6% (17 of 35).
With the win the Sixers (42-34) pulled within a half-game of Toronto for sixth in the Eastern Conference. Toronto hosted Sacramento on Wednesday.
“I think I got to my spots early, that was the key, range up and shoot with confidence,” said George in a postgame interview on the Sixers broadcast. “Tonight was a great indicator, I think I was connected to my body. I was able to play physical and play downhill. That’s what I do best.”
George had 14 points in the first quarter and 24 at halftime. Philadelphia only led 73-71 at half after trailing by 10 in the second quarter, but the complexion of the contest changed in the third. The Sixers shot 20 of 26 in the third and scored 47 points to jump to a 120-103 lead.
“We knew we needed to get stops,” George said about defensive changes in the third. “We had to guard and help one another and that helped us get into a good flow.”
Anthony Gill had a team-high 21 points off the bench for the Wizards, including three threes. Will Riley scored 18 and Tristan Vukcevic added 17 as Washington shot 52.1% from the floor and
The Wizards (17-59) have lost four in a row and 20 of their last 21. It was the most points allowed by Washington this season and the second most scored by the Sixers this season. Philadelphia scored 157 last Wednesday in a win against Chicago.
Before the game, the news was the status of Embiid, who played Monday against Miami and had 26 points, but after the game noted he was under the weather. He posted on X hours before Wednesday’s game: “I guess they won’t let me play basketball!!”
