Paul George’s season-high 39 points leads Sixers to a 153-151 win over the Wizards
George was 15 of 22 from the field, made 6 of 12 three-pointers and had six assists and five rebounds. Tyrese Maxey added 28 points and nine assists.
WASHINGTON — Paul George scored a season-high 39 points and the 76ers overcame Joel Embiid’s absence because of an illness in a 153-131 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
George played his fourth game following a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug rules, He was 15 of 22 from the field, made 6 of 12 three-pointers and had six assists and five rebounds.
Tyrese Maxey added 28 points and nine assists in his third game back from a finger injury, and rookie VJ Edgecombe had 23 points and 10 assists.
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Philadelphia’s starters combined to shoot 45 of 65 from the floor (69.2%) and helped score 47 third-quarter points, the second-most Washington allowed in any period this season.
Anthony Gill scored a career-best 21 points for the Wizards. They have lost four in a row and 20 of 21.
After a first half with five ties and four lead changes, the Sixers pulled away with a 24-4 run early in the third quarter.
Philadelphia topped 150 points for the second straight Wednesday after beating Chicago 157-137 at home a week ago. The Sixers swept the four-game season series and are 11-1 in their last 12 against Washington.
The Sixers host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night (7 p.m., NBCSP).