PHILADELPHIA โ Without three of their key contributors sidelined by injury, the Philadelphia 76ers demonstrated their resilience Sunday evening, holding off a furious Portland Trail Blazers comeback to secure a 109-103 victory. The absence of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Kelly Oubre Jr. forced the Sixers to lean heavily on their depth, and the squad responded with a gutsy performance when it mattered most.
Quentin Grimes emerged as Philadelphia's unlikely hero, putting on a fourth-quarter clinic that ultimately decided the contest. The sharpshooter poured in 14 of his season-high 31 points during the final frame, providing the scoring punch the Sixers desperately needed as Portland mounted a late push. Supporting cast members Justin Edwards and VJ Edgecombe proved instrumental as well, combining for 39 points and providing the kind of complementary play that helped offset the absence of the team's injured All-Star.
Edwards contributed 21 points to the winning effort, while Edgecombe, the rookie prospect, recorded an impressive 18 points alongside a career-high 12 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. The young guard's two-way performance down the stretch demonstrated why Philadelphia views him as a critical part of the franchise's future.
Portland's offensive arsenal featured a pair of strong individual performances but ultimately fell short due to poor efficiency from beyond the arc. Deni Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 25 points, while Jerami Grant chipped in 20. Despite their scoring contributions, Portland's three-point shooting proved problematic throughout the evening. The Trail Blazers managed just 17 makes on 53 attempts from distance, a disappointing 32.7 percent clip that proved to be the difference in the final outcome. Donovan Clingan, the team's young big man, added 11 points and 15 rebounds in a solid effort.
The game remained tightly contested through the opening half, with Portland clinging to a narrow 54-53 lead at the intermission. However, the Sixers seized control in the third quarter, stretching their advantage to as many as 10 points with considerable help from Edwards, who scored nine points during that stretch.
As the final quarter unfolded, Philadelphia appeared to have taken control when they pushed their lead to 101-87 with just 5:34 remaining. But the Trail Blazers refused to surrender quietly, launching a spirited 10-0 run that suddenly made the contest uncomfortably close. The momentum shift suggested a potential collapse was imminent for the injury-ravaged Sixers.
The decisive moments arrived late when Edgecombe drilled a crucial jumper with 1:53 remaining on the clock. Just 33 seconds later, Edwards sealed Philadelphia's triumph with a steal and emphatic slam, denying Portland any realistic path to a comeback.
The victory sends the Sixers forward with significant momentum despite their injury challenges. Philadelphia will look to build on this gritty win when they embark on a three-game road trip, opening Tuesday night against the Denver Nuggets. Meanwhile, Portland will seek to regroup and improve their three-point accuracy during the second leg of their five-game journey, traveling to Brooklyn for Monday evening's matchup against the Nets.