Sixers sunk in Milwaukee by barrage of Bucks 3-pointers

Keith Pompey, The Philadelphia Inquirer on Feb 9, 2025

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MILWAUKEE — The 76ers were doomed by the Milwaukee Bucks’ 3-point shooters.

The Sixers did just about everything possible to win Sunday afternoon’s game besides defend the 3. The Bucks made 24 of 55 3-pointers in their 135-127 victory at Fiserv Forum.

All-Star point guard Damian Lillard made 8 of 15 3-pointers while finishing with a game-high 43 points. Bucks reserve guard Gary Trent Jr. added 23 points while making 7 of 15.

The Bucks (28-23) extended their series winning streak to seven games over the Sixers. And they did this without two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Pat Connaughan. They both missed the game with left calf strains.

The outcome dropped the Sixers to 20-32. They’ve lost three straight and five of their last six games.

Tyrese Maxey paced the Sixers with 39 points to go with four rebounds and five assists. Joel Embiid had 27 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Paul George added 12 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals.

This was just Embiid’s 16th game of the season and just the 12th time the Big Three of Embiid, Maxey and Paul George have played together.

A large portion of the games Embiid missed are attributed to left-knee swelling and load management. The 2023 NBA MVP had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee last February.

Embiid told ESPN he believes he’ll need to undergo surgery on his left knee this offseason. He thinks another surgery and lengthy recovery period will help resolve the swelling.

For now, he’s looking to help the Sixers turn this season around.

Embiid was off to a better start than on Friday, when he struggled in the first quarter. He made his first three baskets to score seven of the Sixers’ first nine points.

The seven-time All-Star had 15 points by the time he was subbed out with 4 minutes, 24 seconds remaining in the quarter and the Sixers up, 27-20. Embiid made 5 of 6 shots, while Maxey had 10 points at the time on 4-for-5 shooting.

With Embiid on the bench, Maxey scored 10 of his team’s next 12 points to give them a 39-38 lead with three seconds left. That enabled Maxey to account for 66.7% of the Sixers' first-quarter points. He had 20 points and two assists. He and Embiid accounted for all but four of their team’s points.

The Sixers opened the second quarter with a lineup of Quentin Grimes, Justin Edwards, Embiid, Kyle Lowry and Jared Butler. That didn’t go well as the Bucks opened up a seven-point cushion. The Sixers were able to get back into the game after George, Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr reentered, replacing Grimes, Lowry and Butler.

Like they did to end the first quarter, the Bucks scored a go-ahead basket right before the halftime buzzer. This time, Gary Trent Jr.’s 3-pointer gave Milwaukee a 65-63 advantage.

Maxey (26) and Embiid (24) combined to score 50 points while attempting 27 of the Sixers’ 43 first-half shot attempts.

The Sixers had a balanced attack in the third quarter. But outscoring them, 38-28, the Bucks took a 103-91 cushion into the fourth quarter. Milwaukee built a 25-point lead in the fourth quarter before the Sixers pulled within eight points late.

Up Next

The Sixers will host the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Center. The Raptors (16-38) are currently on a three-game losing streak. The Raptors defeated the Sixers, 115-107, on Oct. 25 in Toronto.