Observations after Sixers lose to Heat in 1st game without Edgecombe

Observations after Sixers lose to Heat in 1st game without Edgecombe originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers had a slow start to their Sunday afternoon and never managed to earn a lead against the Heat.

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They fell to a wire-to-wire 127-117 defeat at Xfinity Mobile Arena, dipping to 9-7 on the season. Miami moved to 11-6 with its fourth consecutive win.

Tyrese Maxey posted 27 points and six assists. Andre Drummond scored 14 points and grabbed 23 rebounds.

Norman Powell poured in 32 points. Kel’el Ware had 20 points and 16 rebounds.

Rookie VJ Edgecombe missed his first game with left calf tightness. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse called Edgecombe’s absence “precautionary.”

The Sixers remained without Joel Embiid (right knee injury management), Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee LCL sprain) and Adem Bona (right ankle sprain).

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Bona has returned to on-court work but will stay out Tuesday night vs. the Magic, a team official said Saturday. Embiid is still classified as “day-to-day.” Though he’s continued to experience “some soreness,” doctors say he’s progressing, per the official.

Here are observations on the Sixers’ loss Sunday:

Subpar start without Edgecombe

Quentin Grimes started for the first time this season and began the day with Maxey, Justin Edwards, Paul George and Drummond.

The Sixers’ starters struggled. Powell sunk a transition three-pointer to put Miami up 12-5 and scored eight quick points.

Fresh off of his career-high 54-point night against the Bucks, Maxey posted seven of the Sixers’ first nine. Outside of Maxey, however, the Sixers began 0 for 5 from the floor.

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The Sixers didn’t have much pace or movement offensively in the first quarter. One reason was the Heat hardly ever handed the Sixers a free opportunity to attack in the open floor. Miami scored the game’s first 13 points off turnovers. Meanwhile, Grimes tallied just two points in the first period.

Handy 2nd-unit scoring

Especially when Drummond sat, the Sixers’ lack of size emerged as a big problem early on.

Second-year center Ware had six offensive rebounds in the first…

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Publish date : 2025-11-23 15:23:00

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