NBA Recap: Philadelphia 76ers End Losing Streak with Upset Victory

The Philadelphia 76ers snapped a seven-game losing streak with a thrilling 132-129 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Philadelphia 76ers pulled off a stunning upset, defeating the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers 132-129 on Friday. Paul George and Tyrese Maxey led the charge, combining for 59 points to help the Sixers snap a seven-game losing streak. George's impressive performance included six three-pointers, resulting in a 30-point haul, while Maxey contributed 29 points.

The Sixers' victory was a much-needed boost, as they had been struggling with a 15-27 record, which had seen them drop out of the playoff places in the Eastern Conference standings. Their previous game had ended in a brutal 144-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. However, the Sixers bounced back strongly, with head coach Nick Nurse praising his team's resilience. “It's a good bounce back,” Nurse said.

back in the w column ✔️@cryptocom pic.twitter.com/sLDy69EKNs

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 25, 2025

Nurse downplayed the significance of the Nuggets loss, suggesting it was an anomaly. “Sometimes those games happen,” he said. “I said at the time I didn't think it was an indication of how we were playing as a team.” The Sixers' players responded positively, practicing well and preparing thoroughly for the Cavaliers game. “Everybody contributed tonight - all the guys that played made a contribution,” Nurse added.

The game was a thrilling, back-and-forth affair, with the lead changing hands 30 times. The Sixers appeared to have taken control in the closing stages of the fourth quarter, with George's layup giving them an eight-point lead with just 1 minute 26 seconds remaining.

secured the 🏡 dub. @cryptocom pic.twitter.com/ZtEOiBOanu

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 25, 2025

The Philadelphia 76ers narrowly avoided a collapse, securing a 132-129 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers after a nail-biting finish. With 12 seconds remaining, Ty Jerome's three-pointer brought the Cavaliers within a single point, threatening to turn the game around. However, Tyrese Maxey's clutch free-throw shooting, converting four shots, helped the Sixers seal the win.

Maxey reflected on the team's recent performance, highlighting their resilience. “Denver came out and punched us in the mouth, but we'd been playing well before that,” Maxey said. “We just couldn't close it out. Tonight we closed it out and that was good for us.” The win was a morale-boosting victory for the Sixers, who had been struggling with a seven-game losing streak.

The Sixers' victory was a team effort, with four other players posting double-digit scoring tallies. Kelly Oubre Jr. had a standout performance, finishing with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and three steals. Eric Gordon and Justin Edwards each contributed five points. On the Cavaliers' side, Donovan Mitchell led the scorers with 37 points, while Ty Jerome finished with 33 points and Darius Garland added 26.

In other NBA games on Friday, the Memphis Grizzlies extended their winning streak to five games, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 139-126 at home. The Grizzlies improved to 30-15 with the win. Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets suffered a 102-97 loss to the visiting Portland Trail Blazers.