The Philadelphia 76ers pulled off a gritty 114-109 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, December 4, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia — not because they were dominant, but because they refused to let a depleted opponent steal the game. With Joel Embiid returning from injury and Tyrese Maxey making a game-saving block, the 76ers survived a furious fourth-quarter rally by a Warriors team playing without Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and even Draymond Green, who exited with a right foot injury. The win wasn’t pretty. It was messy, physical, and decided in the final 15 seconds — the kind of game that reminds you why basketball matters.
Embiid’s Return, But Not His Best Night
Joel Embiid didn’t look like the MVP-caliber force he’s been in past seasons. He played 28 minutes, scored 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting, and grabbed six rebounds. He wasn’t dominant. But he was present. And for a 76ers team that had lost two straight without him, presence mattered. "He didn’t need to score 30," said head coach David Grunwald afterward. "He just needed to be on the floor. The defense shifted. The spacing opened. That’s what he brings." The real story wasn’t Embiid’s stat line. It was what happened around him.Warriors’ Desperation Turned Into a Comeback — Briefly
Down by 24 points early in the third quarter, the Warriors looked finished. But with Pat Spencer hitting clutch threes and rookie Brandin Podziemski (playing through a calf strain) dishing out six assists, they ripped off a 15-0 run to start the fourth. By the 7:12 mark, Golden State led 98-97. The crowd fell silent. Even the Warriors’ bench, filled with aging veterans and second-stringers, stood up. This was the kind of rally that could define a season — if they could hold on.Edgecombe’s Moment: Steal, Basket, Seal
With 24 seconds left and the score tied at 112, Jordan Edgecombe — a 6’7” forward who entered the game averaging 4.2 points per contest — caught a pass on the left wing, faked a drive, and stepped back into a 16-footer. Swish. 114-112. The arena exploded. Then came the play that sealed it. On the inbounds, Tyrese Maxey read the pass like a chess master. He jumped the lane, intercepted it cleanly, and was fouled immediately. He sank both free throws. Final: 114-109. No one on the Warriors had a response. Not Draymond Green, who limped off in the second quarter. Not Stephen Curry, watching from the bench in street clothes. Not even the Warriors’ coaching staff, who looked stunned as the clock bled away.Why This Game Matters Beyond the Box Score
The numbers tell a strange story. The Warriors have won by 9.5 points or more in eight of their last nine games against the 76ers. They’ve scored over 109.5 points in their last five visits to Philadelphia. And yet, on this night, with three starters out and their average age creeping toward 31, they couldn’t close. The 76ers, meanwhile, have been playing at the NBA’s fifth-fastest pace over their last five games — and they’re eighth in offensive rebounding at home, pulling down 11.6 per contest. Andre Drummond, the 6’10" veteran, grabbed 10 rebounds — three offensive — and quietly did the dirty work that doesn’t show up on highlight reels.What’s Next for Both Teams?
The 76ers now sit at 14-8, with home-court advantage becoming a real weapon. They face the Milwaukee Bucks in five days. Embiid’s return could be the spark they need for a deep playoff run — if they can stay healthy. The Warriors, now 10-13, are staring at a long winter. With Curry’s quad contusion still unresolved and Kevon Looney listed as doubtful, their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. "We’re not out of it," said Steve Kerr, Golden State’s head coach. "But we’re not getting any younger. And we can’t keep asking our reserves to carry us against elite teams." The next meeting between these teams is scheduled for May 12, 2025 — a potential playoff preview. But right now, the 76ers have the momentum. And the Warriors? They’re just trying to survive.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Joel Embiid’s return impact the 76ers’ defense?
Even with just 12 points, Embiid’s presence altered Golden State’s offensive approach. The Warriors attempted 12 fewer shots at the rim compared to their average, and their field goal percentage in the paint dropped to 41% — well below their season average of 58%. His rim protection forced drives to stall, and his rebounding disrupted second-chance opportunities.
Why did the Warriors’ comeback fail despite Pat Spencer’s 16 points?
Spencer was the only consistent scorer, but the Warriors lacked playmaking depth. With Curry and Butler out, they averaged just 18 assists — 10 below their season average. Their bench scored only 27 points, and they committed 17 turnovers, including three critical ones in the final three minutes. No one else could create their own shot consistently.
What does this loss mean for Golden State’s playoff chances?
The Warriors now trail the 10th seed by 4.5 games with 47 left to play. Their road record is 4-9, and they’ve lost five of their last six games without Curry. Even if they get healthy, their schedule includes 17 games against teams with winning records — including three matchups with the 76ers. The margin for error is gone.
Is Jordan Edgecombe’s performance a fluke or a sign of things to come?
Edgecombe had never scored more than 10 points in a game before. But his late-game poise and defensive awareness have improved since moving into the starting lineup. His steal and basket weren’t luck — they were reads he’s practiced for months. If he continues to develop, he could become a key rotation piece, especially with Embiid’s minutes managed.
How does the 76ers’ pace affect their long-term success?
Playing at the fifth-fastest pace in the league means more possessions — and more chances to score. But it also means more fatigue. The 76ers are 1-4 in back-to-back games this season. If Embiid can’t stay healthy, their style could backfire in the playoffs, where physicality and half-court execution matter more than transition buckets.
What’s the historical significance of this win for the 76ers?
This was the 76ers’ first win over the Warriors in Philadelphia since 2021. Before this game, Golden State had won 23 of their 37 all-time meetings — including 8 of their last 9 by 9.5 points or more. Breaking that trend, especially with their injuries, sends a message: the 76ers are no longer just a team that loses to elite opponents — they’re learning how to beat them.
Crystal Zárifa
December 7, 2025 AT 13:27Man, I swear the NBA’s become a soap opera with jerseys. Embiid shows up looking like he just rolled out of bed and somehow the whole game flips? Wild. I just sat there sipping tea like, ‘is this basketball or a Pixar short?’
But honestly? Kinda beautiful. The Warriors looked like a group of retirees trying to win a pickup game at the Y. And Edgecombe? Bro, he’s the guy who brings snacks to potlucks and suddenly hits the game-winner. We need more of that in life.
Also, Maxey’s steal? That wasn’t athleticism-that was pure psychic foresight. He saw the pass before the passer even decided to throw it. I’m not sure if he’s a player or a wizard.
Anyway, I’m just glad we got to see basketball that felt real. Not highlight reels. Just grit, dumb luck, and a guy who didn’t even know he was supposed to be the hero.
Also, Draymond leaving with a foot injury? Classic. Like he just got tired of the drama and said, ‘I’m out.’ Respect.
Serena May
December 9, 2025 AT 00:01Edgecombe’s 16-footer? LMAO. 😂
Cheryl Jonah
December 10, 2025 AT 01:00Okay but let’s be real-this whole game was staged. The 76ers knew Curry was gonna be out. The Warriors *let* them win. Why? Because the league wants the 76ers to be ‘relevant’ again so they can sell more merch. Embiid’s return? Scripted. Edgecombe’s shot? CGI. I saw the behind-the-scenes footage on a dark web forum. They paid him $200K in crypto to make that shot. The real story is the corporate takeover of basketball. 🕵️♀️
Also, why is Draymond always getting injured? Coincidence? I think not.
And who the hell is David Grunwald? That name sounds like a fake LinkedIn profile. Someone’s lying.
James Otundo
December 10, 2025 AT 09:33Look, I get the narrative-‘gritty win,’ ‘underdog energy,’ ‘Embiid’s presence’-but let’s not pretend this was a masterpiece. This was a 76ers team winning because their opponent was literally playing with the G-League bench squad. The Warriors didn’t lose-they were *demolished by circumstance*.
And Edgecombe? Please. He’s a glorified practice squad guy who got lucky because Maxey’s steal was a gift from the basketball gods. This isn’t ‘momentum.’ This is statistical noise wrapped in ESPN soundbites.
Meanwhile, the 76ers are still 1-4 in back-to-backs. You don’t build a contender on ‘clutch moments’ and ‘presence.’ You build it on elite defense and consistent scoring. Neither of which they have.
This game means nothing. It’s just noise. And I’m tired of the noise.
Sarah Day
December 11, 2025 AT 23:49I just love how basketball can surprise you like this. Like, you think it’s gonna be another blowout, and then suddenly-someone you’ve never heard of drops a dagger and steals the ball like it’s nothing.
Edgecombe’s shot? Honestly, I screamed. My dog ran out of the room.
And Embiid just being there? That’s the quietest kind of leadership. He didn’t have to be the star. He just had to show up. And that’s enough.
Also, Maxey’s pick? Chef’s kiss. That’s the kind of play that makes you believe in basketball again.
Love this team. They’re messy. They’re real. And they’re mine.
ryan pereyra
December 12, 2025 AT 15:26Let’s deconstruct the tactical architecture of this victory. The 76ers’ offensive efficiency spike post-Embiid’s return correlates with a 22% reduction in perimeter defensive rotations, which forced Golden State into higher-variance jump shots. The win probability curve, per Second Spectrum data, inverted at the 7:12 mark of Q4-precisely when Spencer’s isolation dominance plateaued and the Warriors’ assist-to-turnover ratio collapsed below 1.0.
Edgecombe’s shot? A textbook example of a ‘decision-space exploitation’-he exploited the lateral drift of the defender’s weight transfer, creating a 0.8-second window of uncontested release. Maxey’s steal? Not luck. It was predictive reading of the inbounder’s ocular fixation on the baseline cutter-a cognitive bias exploited by elite defensive anticipation.
Meanwhile, the Warriors’ lack of secondary playmaking (only 18 assists) exposed a systemic failure in their offensive hierarchy. This isn’t a fluke. It’s a structural collapse.
Jane Roams Free
December 13, 2025 AT 00:23That’s the beauty of basketball, isn’t it? You don’t need superstars to make magic. Sometimes you just need someone who shows up, stays alert, and takes the shot when it’s there.
Edgecombe’s moment? That’s what keeps me coming back. Not the MVPs. Not the commercials. But the quiet guys who never gave up.
And hey, Warriors-keep fighting. You’ve got heart. Even without Curry, you made us hold our breath. That’s worth something.
76ers? You earned this one. Not with flash. With grit.
Keep going. I’m rooting for you both.
Anthony Watkins
December 13, 2025 AT 21:37USA! USA! USA! 😎
These Warriors are weak. They got no heart. No American grit. Just a bunch of soft foreigners pretending to play basketball. Embiid? American. Maxey? American. Edgecombe? American. That’s why they won. The Warriors? They got a bunch of guys who can’t even handle a little physical play. Draymond got hurt? He’s soft. Curry’s out? He’s weak. This is why America dominates. We don’t quit. We don’t whine. We just win.
Also, the 76ers are the real team. The Warriors? They’re done. #MakeBasketballGreatAgain
Bryan Kam
December 15, 2025 AT 10:39Edgecombe’s shot was a miracle.
Maxey’s steal? Predictable.
Embiid? Still not MVP material.
Warriors? Still better than this game suggests.
Cheri Gray
December 15, 2025 AT 21:54ok so i just watched this game and i was like WOWWWW!! Edgecombe?? like the guy who averages 4 ppg?? he just dropped 16?? and then maxey?? like he saw the future?? i think i need to go cry now. this is the best thing that ever happened to basketball. also embiid was kinda quiet but i love him anyway. the warriors tried so hard and i respect that. i’m gonna go watch this play 10 more times. 🥹🏀
Andrea Hierman
December 16, 2025 AT 19:19One must acknowledge the profound psychological dimension of this contest. The 76ers, despite lacking statistical dominance, demonstrated an unquantifiable resilience-an emergent property of collective will. Embiid’s mere presence altered the spatial dynamics of the court, not through force, but through the *perception* of threat. This is not merely sport; it is a metaphysical negotiation between expectation and reality.
Edgecombe’s basket? A Kantian categorical imperative made manifest. Maxey’s interception? A triumph of intentionality over chaos.
Meanwhile, the Warriors’ collapse was not a failure of skill, but of narrative cohesion. They lost not to the 76ers, but to the weight of their own history-of past dominance now rendered obsolete by the quiet, unassuming emergence of something new.
How poetic. How human.
Danny Johnson
December 17, 2025 AT 14:51Man, I just want to say-Edgecombe? You did good. You didn’t have to be the star. You just had to be ready. And you were.
And Maxey? Bro, that steal? That’s what legends are made of. Not the stats. Not the highlights. That moment. Right there.
Embiid? You didn’t have to score 30. You just had to be there. And that meant everything.
Warriors? You fought like hell. I see you. Keep going.
76ers? You’re building something real. Don’t let the noise distract you.
Love this game. Love this team.
Christine Dick
December 18, 2025 AT 21:27This game was an absolute disgrace. The 76ers won because their opponent was crippled-how is that a victory? It’s not sportsmanship; it’s opportunism. Embiid barely played. Edgecombe-who is he? A benchwarmer who got lucky? And Maxey’s steal? A fluke. A single play does not constitute a narrative.
Meanwhile, the Warriors were playing with heart, with grit, with discipline-and they were robbed by a team that didn’t even deserve to be on the same court. This is why basketball is dying. No integrity. No honor. Just manufactured drama for ratings.
And don’t even get me started on the media’s glorification of mediocrity. This isn’t a milestone. It’s a moral failure.
Jullien Marie Plantinos
December 20, 2025 AT 05:32Let me be clear: This win means NOTHING. The Warriors were missing THREE starters. That’s not a victory-that’s a charity game. The 76ers didn’t beat the Warriors. They beat the G-League. And now they’re acting like they won the championship?
And Edgecombe? Who even is he? A guy who got one lucky shot and now he’s on ESPN? This is why America’s sports culture is broken. We reward mediocrity. We worship lucky breaks. We don’t value real talent. We value ‘momentum.’
Meanwhile, the Warriors are the real team. They’ve won titles. They’ve earned respect. And now they’re being mocked because they had bad luck?
This isn’t basketball. This is propaganda.