The Philadelphia 76ers secured a 109-104 road win over the Charlotte Hornets on November 1, 2026, using a balanced scoring effort and a decisive late-game run to escape Spectrum Center with a hard-earned NBA victory. The game was close throughout, but Philadelphia’s execution in the final three minutes proved the difference.

Match overview

Charlotte started brightly and led 30-26 after the first quarter, energizing the home crowd with quick ball movement and aggressive drives. Philadelphia responded in the second period, tightening their defense and closing the half on a 25-28 stretch to take a 55-54 lead into the break. The 76ers extended their advantage to 84-79 after three quarters, then held off a spirited Hornets comeback in the fourth.

The final quarter featured multiple lead changes and a tense finish. Charlotte tied the game at 99-99 with just over three minutes remaining, but Philadelphia answered with a 7-0 run that included a Tyrese Maxey three-pointer, a Paul George mid-range jumper, and two free throws after a defensive stop. The Hornets had chances late but could not convert consistently enough to complete the comeback.

Key moments

The turning point came with the score tied at 99-99. Philadelphia forced a contested Charlotte jumper, secured the rebound, and pushed the ball ahead to Maxey, who pulled up from deep to give the 76ers a three-point lead. On the next possession, George drew a switch and knocked down a tough turnaround jumper to make it 104-99.

Charlotte cut the deficit to three on a LaMelo Ball step-back three, but Philadelphia’s half-court defense held firm on the following possession. A pair of clutch free throws extended the lead back to five, and the Hornets’ final three-point attempt rimmed out with seconds remaining.

Tactical story

Philadelphia’s offensive balance was the key storyline. The 76ers generated quality shots from multiple areas and finished with six players in double figures. Maxey’s speed in transition forced Charlotte to retreat early, while George’s mid-range game gave Philadelphia a reliable option when the pace slowed.

Charlotte’s offense was at its best when Ball controlled the tempo and attacked in pick-and-roll situations. The Hornets created open looks from three and scored well in the paint, but they struggled to get stops during Philadelphia’s decisive late run. Defensive rebounding also hurt Charlotte, as the 76ers turned several second-chance opportunities into crucial points.

Standout performers

• Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers): 31 points and 6 assists, including the go-ahead three-pointer in the final minutes.
• Paul George (Philadelphia 76ers): 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, providing calm shot-making down the stretch.
• Kelly Oubre Jr. (Philadelphia 76ers): 16 points and 5 rebounds, active in transition and on the defensive wing.
• LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets): 28 points and 9 assists, orchestrating Charlotte’s offense and keeping the game close.
• Brandon Miller (Charlotte Hornets): 22 points and 6 rebounds, knocking down contested shots throughout the night.

What the result means

The win gives Philadelphia a valuable road result in the early-season NBA standings and reinforces their ability to close tight games on the opponent’s floor. Maxey’s late shot-making and George’s veteran presence were exactly what the 76ers needed in a game that could have slipped away.

For Charlotte, the loss is a frustrating one because the Hornets competed for forty minutes and had chances to steal the result. Ball and Miller continue to look like a dangerous offensive pairing, but the team’s late-game defense and rebounding will be areas to address. The 109-104 scoreline reflects how close the contest was — and how much small details matter in the NBA’s final minutes.