3 observations after Sixers lose to Bucks despite Bona’s 28-point night  – NBC Sports Philadelphia

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The best performance of Adem Bona’s rookie season wasn’t enough to lead the Sixers to an improbable victory Thursday night.

The Bucks came back to earn a 126-113 win at Wells Fargo Center and improved to 42-34.

The Sixers fell to 23-54 despite Bona posting 28 points on 13-for-15 shooting, six rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

Quentin Grimes tallied 24 points and 10 assists. Guerschon Yabusele added 22 points. 

Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo had a huge night with 35 points, 20 assists and 17 rebounds.

The Sixers remained highly shorthanded. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday that Tyrese Maxey (right finger sprain) is expected to miss the rest of the season. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said pregame that the team’s medical team had only told him Maxey was out vs. Milwaukee. 

The Sixers will host the Timberwolves on Saturday night. Here are observations on their loss to the Bucks:

Bright Bona start 

With a Bona dunk and a pair of Jared Butler corner three-pointers, the Sixers jumped out to an 8-0 lead.

Bona guarded Antetokounmpo and played a stellar first quarter on both ends. Defensively, he was solid across the board — in isolation on Antetokounmpo’s powerful, long-striding drives; on post-ups; as a rim protector. 

Offensively, Bona scored efficiently and with impressive variety. He finished a lefty layup out of the pick-and-roll; sunk a short jump hook; faked a dribble handoff and then drove in for an and-one bucket; drop stepped into a simple lay-in over Kevin Porter Jr. 

All told, Bona racked up 12 points in the first quarter on 6-for-7 shooting. The Sixers went up 39-22 late in the first on a Lonnie Walker IV mid-range jumper. 

Bona obviously enjoyed matching up against Antetokounmpo and did excellent work with the opportunity. Back on Jan. 9, he was asked whether he’d had a favorite NBA moment involving an opposing star. 

“There’s a couple guys that I really looked up to coming into the league,” Bona said. “Playing against Giannis. I didn’t have the opportunity to do anything against him (on opening night). He got subbed out…

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Publish date : 2025-04-03 21:26:00

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