PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers are 20 games into the 2025-26 season, which is about the quarter-mark of the 82-game grind. That means it's time to evaluate the team with a solid sample size at this early stage of the season.

Down 98-97 after blowing a lead that maxed out at 24 points, the Sixers rookie saved the game with a putback lay-up after catching a blocked fadeaway from Tyrese Maxey. The game wasn't over, though, as Golden State quickly inbounded the ball with 0.9 seconds left and had DeAnthony Melton free on a breakaway.

For the first time since October, the Sixers have won two games in a row. They got another stellar Tyrese Maxey performance and two incredible late-game plays to avoid a disastrous collapse.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green limped to the locker room late in the second quarter on Thursday night in Philadelphia and was quickly ruled out with a right foot injury.

Lydia Hope Victor's series on TikTok, 82 Games, features original illustrations inspired by every 76ers game this season.

Drummond threw down a put-back dunk and splashed a corner three. The Sixers led by as many as 36 points, rookies Johni Broome and Hunter Sallis checked in, and Maxey finally finished a game with under 30 minutes. The NBA's minutes leader logged a season-low 29.

VJ Edgecombe won the game for the Sixers on a putback, and De’Anthony Melton’s last-second layup on the leak-out was blocked at the buzzer by Tyrese Maxey. Steph Curry did not make the trip as he recovered from a quad injury, and Jimmy Butler was ruled out with knee soreness.

The Philadelphia 76ers will be without one of their key players against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, December 4.

Philadelphia 76ers big man Adem Bona discusses the challenges the Golden State Warriors present ahead of their matchup.

The Sixers almost had one of their worst losses in years, but instead, we watched an unbelievable last-second victory.