LeBron James moves into third place on NBA’s all-time assists list in Sixers’ win over Indiana Pacers
James’ 11 assists on Sunday moved him past Jason Kidd for third on the NBA’s all-time assists list and helped lift the Sixers to a 131-124 victory. He now has 12,092 assists in his legendary career.
LeBron James received the ball in the middle of the post, then dropped a bounce pass to a cutting Dean Wade for a dunk that pushed the Sixers’ advantage on the Indiana Pacers back up to nine points with less than three minutes remaining.
That was one highlight dish in James’ 11-assist performance, which moved him past Jason Kidd for third on the NBA’s all-time assists list and helped lift the Sixers to a 131-124 victory Sunday afternoon at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
James’ outing, which also included 15 points and six rebounds, came after missing Thursday’s win over the Toronto Raptors to manage sciatica in his back. He now has 12,092 assists in his legendary career.
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Still, both teams were shorthanded Sunday. Joel Embiid was out to manage plantar fascia, while Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton remained sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Without Embiid, the Sixers (11-3) got a monster first half from Jaylen Brown, who scored 20 of his 31 points before the break. Tyrese Maxey, who entered Sunday ranked seventh in the NBA in scoring, also provided another productive 27 points and six assists. The Sixers also survived a fourth-quarter scoring barrage by the Pacers’ Pascal Siakam, who totaled 19 of his 31 points in the final period.
The Sixers next play Monday night at the Brooklyn Nets, then have a Wednesday road game at the Orlando Magic.
Patchwork center minutes — including Tacko Time
With Embiid and Adem Bona (spine) both sidelined, the Sixers needed to roll out multiple center options against the Pacers’ frontcourt anchored by Ivica Zubac.
Jabari Walker (11 points, seven rebounds) started, and sank three three-pointers. Wade (12 points, seven rebounds, three assists) was the primary reserve, before James played in the middle in crunch time. Then the 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall then played five third-quarter minutes — his first meaningful action as a Sixer — and received a thunderous ovation from the crowd.
The size difference was initially noticeable when Zubac (eight points, five rebounds) dunked over Walker and then flushed an alley-oop in the first half.
Welcome back, Kelly Oubre Jr.
Kelly Oubre Jr. wandered over to the Sixers’ bench before tipoff to give coach Nick Nurse a hug.
It was Oubre’s first time back in Philly as a visitor since signing with the Pacers during the offseason. And it unfolded into a quintessential Oubre experience.
He finished with 16 points points on a mix of finishes at the rim and three-pointers capped by blowing a kiss in celebration, and added four rebounds, and two assists. He also got called for a technical and later vigorously mocked Brown extending his off arm upon being called for his third foul late in the first half.
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During a pregame media session, Oubre was appreciative of his three seasons as a Sixer — which rebuilt his NBA career — but candid that the front office helmed by Mike Gansey did not seriously pursue his return. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle also was complimentary of Oubre’s versatility, and credited him with helping stabilize the team’s defense in recent games.
Another rough first quarter
The Sixers entered Sunday ranked 26th in the NBA with a minus-11.8 net rating in the first quarter. Then they lost the opening frame again, 35-26, thanks to Indiana’s hot shooting (15-for-24) from the floor.
But the Sixers chipped away in the second period, with a slick no-look bounce pass from James to Brown for a dunk giving the Sixers a 56-55 edge with less than two minutes to go before the break. They led 58-57 at the half, before extending that advantage to double digits when when Anfernee Simons hit a pull-up jumper at the third-quarter buzzer.
