PHILADELPHIA — Quentin Grimes broke a tie with a 3-pointer with 14 seconds left and scored 24 points, and Tyrese Maxey scored 28 to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 125-121 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night.
Joel Embiid scored 20 points with just two rebounds for the Sixers in their home opener. VJ Edgecombe had 15 points for the Sixers after the 2025 No. 3 overall pick scored 34 in the opener against Boston, the third-most points for an NBA player in his first game.
The Hornets lost Brandon Miller in the first half to left shoulder soreness. Miller grabbed his shoulder in pain and ran to the locker room after being injured on a play in the second quarter. He scored four points in nine minutes.
LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 27 points and Collin Sexton had 21.
The Hornets led by 10 points late in the third quarter and lost the lead even with Embiid out of the game in the final quarter. Embiid is on a minutes restriction as he returns from knee surgery and used his allotted 20 minutes late in the third quarter.
Embiid scored four points on 1-of-9 shooting against Boston and didn’t play the final 9 minutes as Maxey and Edgecombe led them to the victory. The 2023 NBA MVP and two-time league scoring champion, Embiid was limited to 19 games last season due to a sprained left foot, sinus fracture and arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
Against the Hornets, Embiid made three 3s and scored 16 points in the first half and showed — even though his return to true All-Star form may take time — he’s still going to be a difference maker for a Sixers team that was never as good without him as he was with the 7-footer.
The Hornets play Sunday at Washington.
The 76ers host Orlando on Monday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
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