Sixers erase 16-point deficit, beat Wizards in OT as Embiid returns

The Philadelphia 76ers rallied from a 16 point fourth quarter deficit to beat the Washington Wizards 139-134 in overtime Tuesday night at Capital One Arena, improving to 4-0 on the season. Tyrese Maxey paced the comeback with 39 points and 10 assists, while Joel Embiid returned to the lineup under a managed minutes plan and scored 25 points in 23 minutes.

Philadelphia trailed by as many as 19 in the third quarter after the Wizards poured in 110 points through three periods, with Washington’s Alexis Sarr finishing with 31 points. The Sixers held Washington to 16 points in the fourth and outscored the Wizards late to force overtime when Khris Middleton missed a last-second shot at the buzzer. In the extra period, Philadelphia overcame an early 5-0 Washington run and closed on a 9-0 spurt capped by an Adem Bona putback dunk with 27.6 seconds remaining.

Bona emerged as a decisive defensive presence, recording four blocks in the fourth quarter and one more in overtime. His inside play and shot-blocking helped stifle the Wizards’ late offense and shift momentum. Maxey’s late free throws sealed the win after a Kyshawn George three made it 135-134 with seven seconds left.