PHILADELPHIA — James Harden was so, so close to having a bad night and letting his great performance go to waste in a Philadelphia 76ers collapse. Thankfully for the Sixers, the veteran guard made up for his numerous late-game blunders to help them secure an overtime win over the Indiana Pacers with Joel Embiid out.

In the fourth quarter, after committing two brutal turnovers and allowing the Pacers to score on him, Harden stripped Tyrese Haliburton of the ball, leading to the bucket that forced overtime. Then, after missing a pair of free throws in overtime, he got another stop against Bennedict Mathurin to help seal the deal.

“I had to make up for it,” Harden said. “Uncharacteristic [to] miss two free throws. Had to get a stop and just try to make a play on the ball…We just won the game. Games like that, you just win the game, you keep pushing forward.” The Sixers guard said that he takes it personally that the Pacers looked to put him on an island on defense.

Article Continues Below
More Philadelphia 76ers News
image thumbnail
Kon Knueppel turns heads with shocking NBA draft testing resultsErik Slater ·
Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr (9) controls the ball against the Utah Jazz in the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Sochan
76ers’ perfect trade offer to get No. 2 pick from SpursZachary Howell ·
New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) against the LA Clippers on a free throw attempt during the first half at Smoothie King Center.
NBA rumors: Pelicans insider calls out ‘BS’ Herb Jones-to-76ers trade speculationJulian Ojeda ·
Philadelphia 76ers resident of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey speaks with the media before a game against the Detroit Pistons at Wells Fargo Center.
NBA rumors: 76ers engage Spurs on trade for No. 2 pickJason Patt ·
Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) look up during overtime against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Jersey Mike's Arena. Maxey
Ace Bailey lands 76ers workout amid draft speculationZachary Howell ·
76ers news: Ace Bailey’s draft odds take hit after mysterious report, VJ Edgecombe
Ace Bailey’s draft odds take hit after mysterious reportChris Spiering ·

James Harden led the Sixers with 26 points and eight assists while three other players — Montrezl Harrell, Tobias Harris and De'Anthony Melton — scored 19 points. Tyrese Maxey scored 17 points in his first start since coming back from injury. After some rusty performances, he provided a crucial offensive boost, adding six assists with no turnovers to his stat line.

“We went through the same injury, basically,” Harden said, “so I told him that it's not gonna happen in the first couple of games…Slowly but surely, game by game, he's starting to feel like himself. Getting to the basket, his shot. His legs gotta get under him but he did a great job tonight.”

Harden's heroics and the Sixers' well-rounded effort pushed their record to 23-14 on the season despite Embiid being a late scratch. In the end, it was a good night for Philadelphia.