As the 2025-2026 NBA regular season races toward a high-stakes postseason push, the Philadelphia 76ers narrowly outlasted the Washington Wizards 153-151 on Wednesday night. Paul George anchored the offense with a season-high 39 points. The victory solidifies Philadelphia’s momentum while extending Washington’s miserable late-season slide.
George was ruthlessly efficient. He shot 15-of-22 from the floor and drained six three-pointers. He added six assists and five rebounds. The performance came in just his fourth game back following a 25-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug rules. Tyrese Maxey delivered 28 points and nine assists in his third game returning from a finger injury. The 76ers are getting healthy at the exact right time.
The starting lineup was virtually unstoppable. Even with Joel Embiid sidelined by an illness, Philadelphia’s starters combined to shoot 69.2 percent. Rookie VJ Edgecombe stepped up with a massive double-double, recording 23 points and 10 assists. The brutal pace of professional sports leaves no room for defensive errors, and the Wizards paid the price. After a tight first half, Philadelphia blew the doors off the arena with a 24-4 run. They dropped 47 points in the third quarter alone, according to a detailed report.
Washington fought back but fell short. Anthony Gill provided a rare bright spot with a career-best 21 points. It was not enough to stop the bleeding. The Wizards have now lost four consecutive games. They have dropped 20 of their last 21 contests, sinking to a dismal 17-58 record.
Paul George scored a season-high 39 points and the Philadelphia 76ers overcame Joel Embiid's absence because of an illness in a 153-131 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. https://t.co/CKIAc0BrVt
— Washington Times Sports (@WashTimesSports) April 2, 2026
What Philadelphia’s 150-Point Trend Means for the Eastern Conference Playoffs
The 76ers are fundamentally altering their offensive identity. Hitting the 150-point mark in back-to-back Wednesday matchups is a glaring warning to the rest of the Eastern Conference. Last week, they dismantled the Chicago Bulls 157-137. Now, they have torched the Wizards.
Philadelphia completed a 4-0 regular-season sweep over Washington. They boast an 11-1 record in their last 12 meetings against the franchise. With Embiid resting, the offense proved it does not solely rely on half-court isolation. George and Maxey are pushing the tempo. Edgecombe is providing essential playmaking depth. If this shooting efficiency translates to a slower, more physical playoff environment, the 76ers have assembled a rotation capable of outscoring any team in a seven-game series.