The Philadelphia 76ers secured a hard-fought 127-121 road win over the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on 9 November 2026, closing the game with a composed final two minutes after Chicago had repeatedly fought back into contention. Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 34 points, while Joel Embiid added 28 points and 12 rebounds in a performance that underlined the 76ers’ late-game poise.

Match overview

Philadelphia started strongly, building a 34-29 lead after the first quarter behind Maxey’s early shot-making and Embiid’s inside presence. Chicago responded in the second period, using Coby White’s perimeter shooting and Josh Giddey’s playmaking to take a 62-60 lead into halftime. The game remained tight through the third, with Philadelphia holding a 95-91 edge heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair. Chicago tied the game at 112-112 with just over four minutes remaining, but Philadelphia answered with a 9-2 run capped by a Maxey three-pointer and an Embiid turnaround jumper. The Bulls cut the deficit to three in the final minute, but the 76ers went 8-of-8 from the free-throw line down the stretch to seal the win.

Key moments

• Maxey’s fourth-quarter burst: The Philadelphia guard scored 12 points in the final period, including a step-back three that pushed the lead to six with 2:10 remaining.
• Embiid’s defensive stand: With Chicago down four and under a minute to play, Embiid blocked a driving layup attempt and recovered the loose ball.
• Chicago’s turnover troubles: The Bulls committed 16 turnovers, leading to 21 Philadelphia points, including several crucial transition baskets in the second half.
• Free-throw execution: Philadelphia shot 26-of-30 from the line, while Chicago finished 18-of-24.

Standout players

Maxey’s 34 points came on efficient shooting, and he added seven assists while committing only two turnovers. Embiid’s 28-point, 12-rebound double-double gave Philadelphia a reliable interior anchor on both ends. Paul George contributed 21 points, including three three-pointers, and helped limit Chicago’s wing scoring in the fourth quarter.

Chicago were led by Coby White’s 27 points and Josh Giddey’s 24-point, 11-rebound, nine-assist near-triple-double. Nikola Vucevic added 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Matas Buzelis provided energy off the bench with 12 points. The Bulls shot well enough to stay close, but their late turnovers and inability to get stops on consecutive possessions proved costly.

Tactical story

Philadelphia leaned heavily on high ball screens involving Maxey and Embiid, forcing Chicago to choose between switching and dropping. When the Bulls switched, Maxey attacked the big man off the dribble; when they dropped, Embiid punished the space in the mid-post. Chicago’s help rotations were often a step slow, especially in the fourth quarter.

The Bulls, meanwhile, found success when they played through Giddey in the paint and used cutters behind Philadelphia’s aggressive defense. But Chicago’s half-court offense stalled for long stretches in the final period, and their three-point shooting cooled after a hot start. Philadelphia’s rebounding advantage in the final five minutes also limited second-chance points.

Season impact

The result gives the 76ers a valuable road win in the early-season NBA standings and reinforces their ability to close tight games on the road. For Chicago, the loss is a frustrating one because the Bulls matched Philadelphia for long stretches but lacked the late-game execution to finish. Chicago will need cleaner possessions and better defensive communication in crunch time as the season progresses.