Tyrese Maxey Drops 40 as 76ers Spoil LaMelo Ball’s Return in 121-108 Win Over Hornets

Tyrese Maxey’s electric 40-point performance and Paul George’s 33-point contribution proved too much for the Charlotte Hornets as the Philadelphia 76ers secured a convincing 121-108 victory on Monday night.

Maxey and George were simply lights out from deep, combining to shoot an impressive 12-for-21 from beyond the arc. Their offensive explosion overshadowed the long-awaited return of LaMelo Ball, who made his comeback for the Hornets after missing seven games with a strained calf.

Ball’s return brought a brief glimmer of hope for the Hornets (7-19), who finally had their preseason-projected starting five on the floor for the first time this season. However, that lineup didn’t last as long as Charlotte hoped. Rookie standout Brandon Miller exited the game midway through the fourth quarter after spraining his left ankle on a drive to the basket and did not return.

Despite Ball’s near double-double performance — 15 points and 11 assists in 26 minutes — the Hornets struggled to keep up with a scorching 76ers offense led by Maxey and George. The duo dominated the first half, combining for 44 of Philadelphia’s 54 points, with a blistering 9-for-16 shooting performance from deep.

Kelly Oubre Jr. added a solid 19 points, while veteran center Andre Drummond, stepping up for the injured Joel Embiid (sinus fracture), controlled the glass with 15 rebounds. The effort from Drummond on the boards helped the 76ers (8-16) control second-chance opportunities and limit Charlotte’s comeback chances.

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On the other side, Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 24 points, and big man Nick Richards provided a spark off the bench with 19 points. Richards’ energy helped Charlotte narrow the deficit to single digits early in the fourth quarter, but the comeback attempt was short-lived.

The game’s turning point came shortly after Charlotte had trimmed Philadelphia’s lead to five points. With momentum hanging in the balance, Paul George delivered a dagger. He drained a contested fadeaway jumper in the lane, drew the foul, and converted the 3-point play to push the lead back to double digits. That sequence gave the 76ers the cushion they needed to put the game out of reach.

Defensively, the 76ers stayed disciplined, limiting Brandon Miller’s scoring opportunities before his injury and holding Charlotte to just 11-for-19 shooting from the free-throw line — a glaring stat that haunted the Hornets all night.

Philadelphia’s win

For Philadelphia, this win was all about resilience. With reigning MVP Joel Embiid sidelined, Maxey and George stepped into their leadership roles seamlessly. Maxey’s quickness and perimeter shooting paired with George’s shot-making ability gave the 76ers a balanced offensive attack that Charlotte simply couldn’t match.

The Hornets, meanwhile, will be left searching for answers. While LaMelo Ball’s return offered a promising glimpse of the team’s full potential, their struggles to find rhythm as a unit were evident. Ball orchestrated several highlight-reel assists, but the lack of consistency from Charlotte’s starting five ultimately cost them.

Up next, the Hornets will look to regroup when they visit the Washington Wizards on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the 76ers aim to ride this momentum as they prepare to host Charlotte again on Friday night, with hopes of sweeping the back-to-back matchup.

If Monday’s game was any indication, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George will remain key players to watch as the 76ers navigate the absence of their superstar center. For the Hornets, the health of Brandon Miller and continued improvement of their starting unit will be critical to bouncing back.