In a game that swung between drama and controversy, the Philadelphia 76ers escaped with a 128–122 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets at the Xfinity Mobile Arena Thursday night, a result marked as much by clutch execution as by a glaring officiating oversight.
Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid stole the show for Philadelphia. Maxey exploded for 36 points and 10 assists, constantly probing Houston’s defense and consistently creating offense for himself and others. Embiid posted a 32-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist triple-double, anchoring both ends of the floor with authoritative post play and playmaking that helped the Sixers seize control late. Kelly Oubre Jr. also had a big night, contributing 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting to round out Philadelphia’s offensive punch.
Houston’s side of the ledger was led by Kevin Durant, who also scored 36 points on the night, delivering his usual blend of efficiency and quiet dominance. Amen Thompson added 17 points, and five other Rockets reached double figures, but the visitors struggled to sustain timely stops late and couldn’t carry their end-of-game execution into overtime.
The narrative of the night, however, became the most contentious moment of regulation. With the game tied late and the Sixers driving for a potential winning basket, Kevin Durant blocked Maxey’s layup attempt in the closing seconds. Replays strongly suggested that the ball had hit the backboard before Durant’s swat, which under NBA rules would have constituted goaltending and awarded Philadelphia the winning points. Officials did not call it, and the game proceeded to overtime.
The non-call sparked frustration from fans and analysts alike, reigniting debates over officiating consistency and replay review protocols. In postgame remarks, Maxey and 76ers head coach Nick Nurse took the high road, acknowledging the missed call but emphasizing that Philadelphia still had to earn the win in extra time.
Overtime belonged to the Sixers from the outset. They opened the extra period with a quick 5–0 run, capitalizing on early momentum while the Rockets managed just 7 points in the frame. Philadelphia’s spacing and ball movement, especially in transition and in pick-and-roll actions involving Maxey and Embiid, proved too much for Houston to contain when it mattered most.
The Rockets’ loss also extended their well-documented struggles on the road this season; Houston has now dropped eight of its last eleven road games and has been unable to close out tight fourth quarters consistently.
Despite the controversy, the 76ers walked away with the win and a confidence boost, evening their home record and showcasing two of the league’s most electrifying stars in Maxey and Embiid. The Rockets, meanwhile, will spend the next leg of their road trip wrestling with execution issues and the bitter taste of what might have been a regulation victory.
