10-point swing: Sixers beat Hornets 109-104 without James, Embiid

The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 109-104 on Saturday, completing a 15-point comeback in the fourth quarter. The win came without the help of stars LeBron James and Joel Embiid, who were both sidelined for the contest. The Sixers trailed 101-94 with the game in the balance before scoring 15 of the final 18 points to secure the victory.

VJ Edgecombe provided the decisive moment, hitting a three-pointer from the left wing with 36.1 seconds remaining to put Philadelphia up by four. It marked the second consecutive night he hit such a shot. Edgecombe finished with 10 points and seven rebounds. LeBron James watched the celebration from the bench, where he had been sitting due to his absence from the game.

The team arrived in Charlotte for the first back-to-back of the season. James and Embiid missed the game together for the first time, while Jaylen Brown returned from a one-game absence caused by a left knee injury. The Sixers started strong, leading 15-10 in the first quarter, but the lead evaporated quickly. Charlotte outscored Philadelphia 27-12 in the first quarter alone, taking a 37-27 lead after one.

The defense appeared disorganized in the early minutes, with Justin Edwards receiving his first minutes of the season and Jabari Walker re-entering the rotation. The Sixers steadied in the second quarter, forcing six turnovers and holding Charlotte to 1-for-10 shooting in the first nine minutes and 30 seconds of the period. Tyrese Maxey led the team with 38 points, while Anfernee Simons added 19 off the bench. Brown contributed 16 points in his return.

The second half saw the Sixers struggle offensively as Charlotte shot 61% in the third quarter. The Hornets led 101-94 in the fourth quarter. A steal by Brown and a block by Dean Wade sparked an 8-0 run. Maxey hit free throws to give the Sixers the lead with 1 minute and 22 seconds left. The defense, which had been lacking in rim protection, tightened up in the final minutes. The Hornets shot 71% from the field for the game, a testament to the gap left by Embiid's absence.

Brown had a slow start, going 0-for-5 in the first quarter and 2-for-9 in the first half. He found his rhythm attacking the rim in the third quarter, with all his points coming at the paint or the free-throw line. He and Grayson Allen, who led Charlotte with 27 points, drew offsetting technical fouls during a scuffle in the fourth quarter. Brown sealed the win with two free throws with 5.2 seconds remaining.

Injury returns provided frontcourt support. Jabari Walker, out for three games with left patellar tendinopathy, played 19 minutes and finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Tacko Fall, signed to a two-way contract and questionable due to a left quad injury, was also available. Rookie Labaron Philon Jr. saw time on the floor, finishing plus-two in five first-half minutes. He added four more minutes in the second half without attempting a shot.