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SALT LAKE CITY — Luka Doncic entered Sunday looking to find his offensive rhythm.

He found it in abundance at Delta Center.

The Slovenian superstar guard dropped his first 50-point game of the season, leading the Lakers to a 132-123 win over the Jazz for their third straight victory to kick off the 2026-27 season. 

Doncic scored 52 points on 17-of-30 shooting, hitting a trio of 3-pointers late in the game’s precarious moments.

“Anybody that overreacts to him not making shots in the first two games, it’s the first two games,” Austin Reaves said. “That’s the same player who’s capable of doing amazing things on the court. It was a matter of time before he did what he did.”

Doncic’s first stepback 3 of the fourth tied the game at 116 with just over four minutes left.

The second and third 3s put the Lakers up by five and six, respectively, putting the Lakers in full control. 

By the time Doncic was at the free throw line with 12.5 seconds left to ice the game, “M-V-P” chants filled the Jazz’ home arena.  

He waved goodbye to Jazz fans in the crowd after assisting Reaves on a 3-pointer to put the Lakers up, 130-123, with 34 seconds left, while Reaves shushed the crowd.

“When he’s in the flow state,” coach JJ Redick said, “he gets into like showman mode, he’s on stage performing, and that’s always – it’s always really fun to watch.”

Doncic recorded 13 points of his scoring total in the fourth, with all of his fourth-quarter points coming in the final 4:06 of the game.

He shot 8-of-18 on 3s, and 10 of 11 on free throws, to go with 10 assists and 8 rebounds for a near triple-double.

Reaves added 29 points on 7-of-12 shooting and 4 assists, with 11 points of his scoring total coming in the final quarter.

Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle both scored 11 points, while Collin Sexton scored 13 points off of the bench in 20 minutes.

Walker Kessler struggled in his first game against his former team, finishing with more fouls (4) than points (2 on 1-of-2 shooting) after a hot start to the season.

The Lakers got off to a slow start, with Redick acknowledging during his halftime interview that his team wasn’t ready to play. 

The Jazz won the opening quarter by 18 points, taking a 47-29 lead going into the second quarter after dominating multiple areas of the game. 

They had six offensive rebounds, with Ace Bailey having five of them, and 16 second-chance points in the first. The Jazz scored 24 points in the paint and went 5-of-10 on 3s in the opening frame, with the Lakers struggling to contain the Jazz.

After being a brilliant third quarter team in the first two games, the Lakers didn’t wait until halftime to flip the game back in their favor.

They outscored the Jazz 45-24 in the second, with Reaves doing the heavy lifting, scoring 15 points to get the Lakers back in the game.

Doncic closed out the quarter by stripping Bailey on his drive to the rim before hitting a pull-up 3, giving the Lakers a 74-71 lead going into halftime after trailing by 18 earlier in the quarter.

The Lakers beat the Jazz despite being being dominated on the board, with the Jazz grabbing 19 offensive rebounds compared to the Lakers’ four, giving them a 32-11 advantage with second-chance points.

But the Lakers’ shooting advantage gave them the edge: They knocked down 20 3s compared to the Jazz’s 10.

Doncic entered Sunday with modest-for-his-standards averages: 25.5 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds, but shooting 38.5% from the field (35% on 3s).

His slow start to the season came he didn’t play for the Slovenian national team this past offseason, which created the longest stretch of time since he entered the NBA in 2018 that he went without playing an official basketball game.

The lack of offensive rhythm was palpable, and measurable.

“I’m still getting there, honestly,” Doncic said. “This is the first time I didn’t play basketball in six or seven months, which is a long time. So I’m not used to it. I’m still getting there. [Sunday] was a little bit better.”

Luka Doncic raised three fingers toward the Utah crowd. Fans were left counting more than just his points.

Doncic hit three clutch three-pointers late in the fourth quarter and took a momentum-swinging charge to lead the Lakers to a nail-biting 132-123 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday at Delta Center. Doncic led the Lakers (3-0) with 52 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds as the team fought back from an 18-point second-quarter deficit.

Guard Austin Reaves hit a dagger three with 34 seconds remaining to give the Lakers a seven-point lead. As Doncic salted the game away, he was serenaded with chants of “MVP!” Reaves finished with 29 points.

Center Walker Kessler was quiet in his return to Salt Lake City. After he joined the Lakers in a massive sign-and-trade deal that cost the Lakers two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps and a four-year, $130-million contract, Kessler was held to just two points on one-of-two shooting with seven rebounds.

Read more:Swanson: Luka Doncic's trash-talking antics sharpen his edge. Lakers fans need to embrace it

Kessler had averaged 24 points and 8.5 rebounds per game during the Lakers’ first two games and shot a blazing 84.6% from the field while feasting off lob passes from Doncic and Reaves.

Kessler got an unremarkable mixed reception from the crowd with a large number of fans wearing Lakers colors. The Jazz didn’t play a highlight reel during the game to welcome the center back, as many teams often do for a player who returns on an opposing team.

When asked whether Kessler’s return would spark extra motivation for the Jazz, Utah coach Will Hardy dispelled any suggestions of revenge.

“In no way is tonight about Walker,” Hardy said. “Like it’s not a, ‘Oh wow Walker’s here so we better play harder.’ We’re gonna demand the same standard that we did in our last game. Some of the story lines I don’t quite understand. Like we have a lot of love for Walker. He’s somebody that we have a great relationship with and a lot of shared experience.”

Read more:How the Lakers' Luka Doncic went from 'Wonder Boy' to 'The Man'

The Jazz traded for Kessler after the Memphis Grizzlies picked him 22nd overall in 2022. He emerged as a strong rebounder and rim protector, but the Jazz, still in rebuilding mode, never challenged for a playoff spot. Kessler played in just five games last season after shoulder surgery.

Kessler picked up his fourth foul with 7:38 remaining in the third quarter, stuck on only two points and six rebounds against his former team. The Lakers instead used a starring performance from their backcourt to overcome an 18-point second-quarter deficit.

The Lakers gave up 16 second-chance points on six offensive rebounds during the first quarter, contributing to the early deficit. Reaves was held scoreless during the first quarter, but awoke for 15 points in the second.

Doncic capped the half with a flurry on both ends. He watched a fadeaway jumper circle the entire rim before dropping through for a three-point play, ripped the ball out of Ace Bailey’s arms for a steal then hit a three at the buzzer to put the Lakers up by three at halftime.

The Slovenian superstar was coming off an admittedly “terrible” game in which he had 23 points, seven assists and 11 turnovers in the Lakers’ home win over the Clippers. Lakers coach JJ Redick said Doncic is still finding his rhythm after not playing with the national team over the summer as he typically does.

Doncic made just two of his first eight three-point attempts Sunday. He looked right back in rhythm when he splashed the tying three with 4:06 remaining in the fourth quarter and pushed his palms toward the ground to quiet the crowd.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

After trailing by 18 points in the first quarter, the Lakers rallied on Sunday afternoon to beat the Jazz in the first road game of the season, 132-123.

Luka Dončić put the team on his back from the second quarter on, exploding for 52 points in the win. Down the stretch, Luka buried a pair of threes and Austin Reaves hit the dagger to give the Lakers the comeback win.

Luka was the first to get on the board for LA with a jump shot. The Jazz then scored eight straight. Luka answered with another midrange jumper.

Ace Bailey countered for Utah with four points. He was cooking for the Jazz, leading the team with six points. Meanwhile, Luka had all six of the Lakers’ points. 

Luka has had a strong offensive start, with 6 points on 3-for-5 shooting. The other end of the floor has been rough for LA. Jazz are doing a good job drawing advantageous switches and capitalizing with easy drives and offensive rebounds.

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 25, 2026

Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams both drained triples, finally putting other Lakers on the board. Utah kept the momentum, though, and opened a 16-point lead with Bailey leading the charge with 13 points.

Los Angeles struggled defensively, which in turn killed any momentum they built on offense. Luka was the only player doing much of anything offensively with 17 points. 

At the end of the first, Utah was up by 18. 

First quarter: Jazz 47, Lakers 29

Utah has dominated LA on both ends of the floor. LA has struggled to contain the ball, prevent advantageous switches, and box out. Jazz have been quicker, tougher, and more physical. They have 6 offensive rebounds. Luka has 17 points (5-11 FG).

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 25, 2026

Collin Sexton started the second period with a layup for the Lakers. Brice Sensabaugh responded on the other end with a floater off the glass. Austin Reaves began to heat up, scoring 10 points in the quarter to bring the deficit to 12 for LA. 

Utah called a timeout and, out of the break, former Laker Jaxson Hayes converted on an alley-oop dunk.

Reaves’ ridiculous quarter continued as he drained another triple, pushing his point total to 15. Walker Kessler also finally scored, converting on a layup. Sandro Mamukelashvili had stellar production off the bench for Los Angeles, scoring seven points.

By the 3:02 mark, the Lakers had cut the deficit to three. 

LA put on a defensive clinic all quarter. On the other end, Luka went on an insane heater to end the half, scoring eight points to give the Lakers a three-point halftime lead.

Lakers took the lead at half ‼️ pic.twitter.com/rXEkKxpuQG

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 25, 2026

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored on a layup for the Jazz to start the third period. Thybulle responded with a 3-pointer for Los Angeles. Keyonte George scored four points to halve the deficit.

Thybulle drained his third three of the night for LA and was now in double figures with 11 points. Luka and Reaves combined for a quick eight, but Markkanen scored five to make it a three-point game. The teams exchanged baskets, making it a fun battle. 

The save — the celly pic.twitter.com/NPRDEu2Fs5

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 25, 2026

At the four-minute mark, the Lakers were up three.

Mamu had two great defensive plays, one block and one altered shot. Utah tied the game on three free throws from Jaren, but Luka hit a triple at the end of the third to put LA up by three.

Luka for the lead to end the 3rd 👌#LakeShowpic.twitter.com/9b3JHk4N9A

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) October 25, 2026

The final frame started with Isaiah Collier converting on a floater. Reaves converted on a jumper on the other end. Utah chipped into the deficit with Darryn Peterson leading the charge with four points. 

At the 7:25 mark, Utah jumped ahead by one after George hit a three.

Out of a Lakers timeout, Sexton drained a 3-pointer to put LA back up. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team creating separation. At the 4:17 mark, the Jazz led by three. Luka erased that with a three on the other end. 

At the 3:15 mark, LA was up by one, thanks to Luka converting on a pair of free throws. 

Reaves was fouled from behind the arc and converted on all three free throws, giving Los Angeles a small cushion. Luka drained two threes, pushing his total to 50 points. The Lakers were up six with 1:12 left.

After a pair of free throws from George, Reaves drained a clutch three with under a minute to go and Luka converted on two free throws to complete the win. 

Key Player Stats

Luka finished with 52 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists and two steals. Reaves ended with 29 points on 7-12 shooting. Kessler had a poor offensive game with just two points. He also grabbed seven rebounds. 

Thybulle added 11 points. Williams pitched in with 11 points. Sexton had 13 points off the bench. Mamu logged nine points and three rebounds. 

The Lakers’ next game will be against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday at 8:00 PM PT.

You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.

Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson are both out for the Detroit Pistons tonight as they visit the undefeated Philadelphia 76ers. Joel Embiid will be resting for the Sixers, but this will be a big matchup for the short-handed Pistons. Paul Reed will get the start for Duren, and here is hoping the former Sixer has some BBall Paul magic ready for his former team. It will also be a chance to see how much appetite JB Bickerstaff has for a Reed backup — is he going to go with the 3-point shooting of the undersized John Collins or is he going to go with the beefy, more limited Tolu Smith?

Game Vitals

When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Watch: TV: TV20 Detroit | Streaming: DAZN-Detroit
Odds: Pistons +1.5

Projected Lineups

Detroit Pistons (2-0)

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Joe, John Collins, Paul Reed

Philadelphia 76ers (3-0)

Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, Adem Bona

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić led the way in the 132-123 road victory over the Utah Jazz, Sunday, Oct. 25 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

The Lakers held a slim lead entering the fourth quarter after Dončić produced 39 points through the first three quarters. The two-time NBA scoring champ finished with 52 points.

Doncic is now tied with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 10 career 50-point games, which is the 11th most in NBA history. The Lakers guard passed Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who each have nine.

"When he's in the flow state, he gets into the showman mode," Lakers coach JJ Redick said. "He's on stage performing and that's always fun to watch."

Dončić hit a pair of big shots to close out the second and third quarters of the game. He hit a stepback 3-pointer to close out the third period to give the Lakers a 103-100 lead. He finished with eight 3-pointers made, shooting 44.4% from beyond the arc.

"It means everything to me," Doncic said about being able to step up and lift his team on the road.

LUKA'S GOT 50 POINTS 🚨

HE SINKS HIS 8th THREE!

LAKERS LEAD LATE IN Q4. pic.twitter.com/gFQ0J50T6C

— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2026

While Los Angeles trailed by as many as 18 points during the first half, the Lakers took a 3-point lead to the locker room at halftime after Dončić poured in his 25 points.

Dončić created an opportunity for the Lakers to jump ahead, stealing the ball from second-year player Ace Bailey under the Jazz basket and walking it down the court.

The Slovenian star created space with a move that made Bailey slip before Dončić hit the 3-point shot.

Luka Doncic adds name to Lakers' record books

Dončić added his name to the franchise record books, becoming the fastest Laker to score 3,000 points. The six-time All-NBA selection reached the feat in 95 games, beating out George Mikan (106) and Abdul-Jabbar (109).

Doncic's performance was his third 50-point game for Los Angeles, passing Wilt Chamberlain, Anthony Davis and Shaquille O’Neal, who all had two 50-point games for the Lakers. Doncic is tied with LeBron James for fifth-most in Lakers' history.

The six-time All-Star's double-double performance also made him the first Laker since 1963 to record at least 50 points and 10 assists in a game. He joins Elgin Baylor and Jerry West as the only players in the team's history to accomplish the feat.

Luka rising up the Lakers' record books 📈 pic.twitter.com/n4Wo1w9iXx

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 25, 2026

Luka Doncic stats vs. Jazz

• Points: 52
• FG: 17-for-30
• 3PT: 8-for-18
• FT: 10-for-11
• Rebounds: 8
• Assists: 10
• Steals: 2
• Blocks: 0
• Turnovers: 4
• Fouls: 
• Minutes: 38

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luka Doncic shoots Lakers past Jazz, sets new franchise record

Chemistry is a difficult thing to achieve for any team. The majority of teams never reach that point where comfort meets production, so when you have it, you hold onto it and cherish it. There’s beauty in chemistry because players instinctively know where their teammates are going to be on both ends of the floor, creating the appearance of five people moving as one.

Right now? The Suns’ first unit doesn’t have it. Two games into the season, I think we all hoped we’d see a little more connectivity from the starting unit. But thus far, it has yet to manifest itself.

I guess it’s understandable, right? After all, 40% of your starting lineup is new. Miles Bridges wasn’t on the team last season, and Khaman Maluach started only one game during his rookie year. So yeah, there’s going to be a learning curve.

I recognize that the Massacre at Moda in Portland is going to skew a lot of our overall numbers until at least the 20th game of the season. But you can still feel it on the court. You can see the discombobulation.

Defensively, we’re constantly seeing Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, or Miles Bridges collapse on the weak side, leaving opposing three-point shooters wide open. Against Portland, that open shooter was consistently Damian Lillard. You’re not going to make a living doing that.

The issue is that these guys don’t yet know when and where to provide help. There needs to be better communication within the starting unit, along with more repetitions so everyone understands when help is necessary and when it’s probably a good idea to avoid leaving a Hall of Fame three-point shooter open.

We witnessed the same issues against the Warriors, where the Suns consistently failed to operate as one cohesive unit. At times, multiple players would attack the ball. Other times, nobody would, creating a layup line for players like Will Richard, who could take the ball the length of the court and finish at the rim.

Offensively, we’re seeing similar problems. Two players will run over to set the same screen because neither seems to know who’s supposed to be setting it at that particular moment. Back screens are missed because players didn’t realize it was theirs to set.

This isn’t to say you give up on the group entirely. It’s a demonstration that this team is going to need time to gel. That continuity we believed could help propel the Suns through the early portion of the season, while opposing teams were still trying to figure themselves out, has become a moot point. It doesn’t exist right now. And it doesn’t matter.

You look at the second unit and see much more stability, a clearer understanding of roles, and players who seem to know where they’re supposed to be. Why? Because the roles within that unit are more clearly defined. Devin Booker noted as much following the win over the Warriors on Saturday night.

“I’d say right now they have more of a chemistry than our first group, and I think typically that’s how teams are,” Booker said. “You play against those guys every day in practice, and they know each other like white on rice. I’ve been guarding Collin and Oso, and having Goody picked me up for a long time now.”

“I know how special players they are, and every time we can share the court together, I always enjoy that,” he added. “You can feel the crowd get involved. The ball is hopping around, and the defense is at a high level. As the first unit, we need to learn from them in a way, and the type that they play: everybody sacrifices in those groups, and you see the result that you get out of it.”

We know Collin Gillespie is going to be the tip of the spear and the primary facilitator of the offense. With that established, everybody else can fall in line because they’re not playing the same game of hot potato that the starting unit is, trying to determine whether Devin Booker or Jalen Green is supposed to be running the offense. We know Jordan Goodwin is going to be your point-of-attack defender and one of your best rebounders, crashing the glass whenever the opportunity presents itself. So when you see him guarding somebody, you’re not necessarily inclined to rush over and provide assistance. And we know Ryan Dunn is going to do a lot of the little things because he’s operating in the role he’s destined to play rather than one he’s being asked to play.

I’m finding it harder and harder to take my eyes off Ryan Dunn when he’s on the floor.

He’s quickly becoming one of my favorite Suns to watch this season.

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) October 25, 2026

Sure, you have the insertion of Luke Kennard, who made his season debut Saturday against the Warriors, but he’s a much more connective player. He fits into that existing structure rather than disrupting it.

And that’s ultimately the difference between the two units right now. The second group understands its responsibilities, trusts the players around them, and operates with a level of confidence that comes from familiarity. The starters are still trying to establish that same understanding. Talent can overcome plenty of deficiencies, but chemistry requires repetition, communication, and clearly defined roles. Phoenix has the pieces to make it work. Now Jordan Ott has to figure out how they fit together, because continuity means very little if nobody knows what they’re supposed to do.

Update: 6:51 p.m.: Edgecombe has been ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. the Pistons. Before the game, Nick Nurse confirmed it was the shot to the midsection in Saturday’s game against Milwaukee and that he was very sore after.

Though not to the degree of years past, the injury bug is hitting the Sixers early in the 2026-27 season.

The latest to pop up on the injury report is second-year guard VJ Edgecombe, who is now listed as questionable with an abdominal contusion for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Pistons.

Edgecombe appeared to take a shot to the midsection early in Saturday night’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks while trying to contest a layup. He stayed in the game for a little while, even knocking down a pair of threes. He briefly left the game and headed back to the locker room, but remerged and was riding the stationary bike before checking back in.

Edgecombe finished the game with 17 points and 13 rebounds, nailing five threes. He also made two massive plays down the stretch — grabbing an offensive rebound which led to a Jaylen Brown three, then coming up with a deflection which Brown turned into a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope triple to essentially seal the win.

The Sixers already come into the contest short-handed. Joel Embiid (plantar fasciitis management) — despite his lobbying to play to the media postgame — and Jabari Walker (knee soreness) are out. Dominick Barlow (back) and Tacko Fall (quad) remain out of the lineup. Both Dean Wade and Caldwell-Pope are a little banged up as well.

Luckily, LeBron James is set to return to the lineup after missing the front end of the team’s back-to-back. The Sixers and Piston tip off at Xfinity Mobile Arena at 7:30 p.m.

Kawhi Leonard will reportedly miss his first game since returning to the Toronto Raptors due to knee swelling. This means that Leonard will miss the highly anticipated matchup between the Raptors and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.

Ja’Kobe Walter will be inserted into the starting lineup in Leonard’s place.

With the Raptors and Timberwolves being two of the nine remaining undefeated teams, the showdown is the first real litmus test for both squads. While it’s unfortunate that fans won’t get to see their rosters at full strength, intrigue continues to surround this team’s long-term sustainability without Leonard, particularly against contenders.

The last time Leonard missed a game was against the Golden State Warriors on Apr. 12. It was the Los Angeles Clippers’ season finale. Before then, Leonard had played in 11 consecutive games, which included a 27-point performance in a win over the Toronto Raptors on Mar. 25. Leonard returned for the Clippers’ play-in game against the Warriors.

Leonard appeared in 65 games during his final season in Los Angeles. He hasn’t appeared in at least 60 games in consecutive seasons since 2015-17, both of which were his first two seasons as an All-Star. During the Raptors Media Day, Leonard suggested that he would like to play more this year.

In his legendary run with the Raptors in 2019, Leonard finished with 60 regular-season appearances.

During Toronto’s 112-102 victory over the Washington Wizards on Oct. 23, Head Coach Darko Rajakovic played Leonard 27 minutes. In the season-opener, the Klaw finished with 23 minutes. The Raptors play their first set of two games in three nights against the Orlando Magic on Oct. 28 and 30.

After that, the Raptors get their first back-to-back, conveniently against the Los Angeles Lakers (Nov. 1) and the Clippers (Nov. 2). If the early load management means that Leonard is good to go for their business trip to Los Angeles, then this could be worth it.

Another two winless teams will square off at Madison Square Garden tonight, when the Knicks (0-2) host the Orlando Magic (0-2). The World Champs share the basement of the Eastern Conference with Disneys, but won’t for long. Paolo Banchero is out for Orlando with a bum ankle, as is Jonathan Issac, Noah Penda, and Izaiyah Nelson. As fo this early-morning writing, Orlando’s Anthony Black and New York’s Jose Alvarado (ankle) are game-time-decision.

This should be a gimme for our guys, so let’s see if they’re up to the task. Tip off is 7 pm EST on NBA League Pass. This is your game thread. This is Pinstriped Post. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Mind your manners. And go Knicks!

Observations after shorthanded Sixers fall to 1st loss of season  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The 2026-27 Sixers are no longer undefeated.

The team fell to its first loss Sunday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena, losing a 106-93 game to the Pistons. Detroit improved to 3-0 and the Sixers dipped to 3-1. 

Tyrese Maxey was the Sixers’ top scorer with 29 points. LeBron James added 18, Jaylen Brown 16.

Pistons star Cade Cunningham had 26 points and Duncan Robinson scored 21.

On the second night of a back-to-back, the Sixers were shorthanded. Their players out included Joel Embiid (right plantar fasciitis injury management), VJ Edgecombe (abdominal contusion) and Jabari Walker (left knee soreness). 

Detroit was down Jalen Duren (right hamstring strain) and Ausar Thompson (right ankle sprain). 

The Sixers will next play Wednesday when they visit the Pacers. Here are observations on their defeat to Detroit:

Sixers woeful on many fronts in early going 

The Sixers opted against starting a conventional center. They began the game with Maxey, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brown, James and Dean Wade. Adem Bona later subbed in at center. 

Positional labels didn’t matter much for the Sixers’ defense, which appeared to start the night switching every screen. On the other end, former Sixers center Paul Reed guarded James, who operated frequently as a screener. 

The Sixers’ starters had a hard time doing just about everything in their first stint. Rebounding was a glaring and predictable problem. Detroit had five offensive rebounds before the Sixers grabbed their first defensive board. 

Maxey missed two early attempts in the paint and a mid-range jumper. Reed converted a put-back layup, Cunningham scored a fast-break hoop, and Sixers head coach Nick Nurse burned a timeout. His team plummeted into a 15-1 hole. 

Entering the season, it was evident that the Sixers were thin at backup center without Ariel Hukporti (right Achilles tendon tear) and Dominick Barlow (lower back stress reaction). They did not have a remotely encouraging start Sunday in their first Embiid-less game of the regular season. 

Slow start, foul trouble for Maxey 

Maxey was whistled for his second foul with 6:09 to go in the first quarter.

That led to first-period minutes for rookie Labaron Philon Jr. He scored his first NBA points with a fast-break floater.

Anfernee Simons and Bona were the two other members of the shorthanded Sixers’ second unit. Bona fared rather well late in the first quarter. After recording six rebounds over the Sixers’ first three games, Bona matched that number in the first, played active defense and chipped in a bucket and a block. He logged 25 minutes on the night and had six points, 13 rebounds and three blocks.

Maxey checked back in to start the second quarter. He got on the scoreboard with 7:06 left in the second, although he picked up his third foul 32 seconds later. 

Detroit’s defense focused on containing Maxey and had plenty of success in the first half. Daniss Jenkins guarded him tightly and the Sixers’ All-NBA guard often saw a crowd of bodies in the lane. 

No comeback up Sixers’ sleeve this time

Down 21 points late in the second quarter, the Sixers stormed back into the game. They closed the quarter on a 9-0 spurt and at least gave themselves a legitimate chance in the second half. 

The Sixers kept rolling to kick off the half, scoring the first five points of the third quarter. James’ fast-break lay-in cut the Pistons’ lead to 58-53 and had the home fans fired up.

Detroit did not completely collapse the way the Cavaliers had a few nights back in the Sixers’ home opener. Continued free throw misses by James and Brown also hurt the Sixers’ comeback cause a tad. The two combined to shoot 6 for 14 at the foul line.

The Sixers still maintained considerable pressure on the Pistons in the fourth quarter.

Bona slammed in a put-back dunk and then chased down an offensive rebound on the Sixers’ next possession. Maxey eventually hit a mid-range shot over Jenkins to trim the Sixers’ deficit to 79-75. He got on track in the second half and created his typical trouble for the opposing defense with world-class downhill speed.

The Pistons avoided a disastrous downslide. Credit to the Sixers for another serious, high-energy comeback push — and on the second leg of a back-to-back — but the bottom line is they paid for a poor start and tasted defeat for the first time on Sunday night.