2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer Standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 4
Andre Drummond – 2
Adem Bona – 1
VJ Edgecombe – 1
Justin Edwards – 1
Quentin Grimes – 1
Kelly Oubre Jr – 1
Trendon Watford – 1
Philadelphia’s NBA Cup dream is dead for another year. The Sixers managed to flip the script on Friday evening, doing the improbable in outscoring the Pistons, 36-25, in the third quarter. Still, though it wasn’t enough, as the offense stagnated in the usually reliable fourth quarter and they ultimately lost, 114-105.
The Sixers have now lost both games thus far in NBA Cup group stage play, essentially ending any chance of moving on to the knockout round. Bigger picture, tonight is a bad loss to a Detroit Pistons club missing basically an entire starting five, including superstar Cade Cunningham. Even acknowledging the Sixers were without Joel Embiid and lost Kelly Oubre Jr. due to a hyperextended left knee during the game, you probably put this defeat down as the worst loss on the season to date. But that’s a discussion for another time. For now, let’s do Bell Ringer.
Dominick Barlow: 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers
In his first game back following history’s most annoying cut, Barlow didn’t miss a beat. He didn’t enter the game until the second quarter, but Nick Nurse couldn’t keep him out of it afterwards, as Dominick ended up playing almost 29 minutes. His activity level was off the charts, keeping possession after possession alive with five offensive rebounds. Barlow’s chasedown block of Ronald Holland II was one of the great energy plays on the night, and I still can’t believe Nick Nurse had to challenge to overturn a foul call on it. Barlow does so many little things to help the team, and if his jump shot can remain serviceable (he hit two of his three attempts from downtown tonight), there will continue to be plenty of minutes for him.
VJ Edgecombe: 18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers
The rookie had been slumping a bit lately, as he adjusts to NBA schedule makers treating every week like a collegiate conference tournament. So it was nice to see Edgecombe have his highest scoring game of the month of November, going 4-of-8 from downtown. VJ knocked down some shots via relocation and off the dribble, stuff you wouldn’t have said was exactly in his bag during his time at Baylor. It’s also sure fun watching him run the court and finish in transition. Edgecombe is going to absolutely posterize a defender one of these games.
Andre Drummond: 12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers
It was a pretty standard Drummond game in a lot of ways (standard for the new and rejuvenated version of Drummond, that is). He collected four offensive boards and tipped in a couple putbacks. Andre did have one goofy moment where he was called for a double-dribble trying to play point guard on a 2-on-0 fast break opportunity. But we have to acknowledge his tying a career-high with two three-pointers made (on two attempts). He’s now at six made threes for the season (a new career-high), and it’s a legitimate thing. Make of it what you will, but kudos to Drummond for putting the work in to add that aspect to his game at age 32.
