The Philadelphia 76ers kicked off 2025 with high hopes, visiting the Sacramento Kings on New Year’s Day. Coming off a solid four-game winning streak, the Sixers aimed to push their momentum further and secure a crucial win to solidify their playoff aspirations in the competitive Eastern Conference.

However, what began as a promising outing turned into a night of regret when the Sixers allowed the Kings to mount a staggering comeback. With just over three minutes left in the game, Tyrese Maxey's runner put Philadelphia ahead 107-98. It seemed the Sixers were poised for victory, but disaster struck as the Kings closed the game with an explosive 15-0 run.

The final moments were marred by an overwhelming wave of turnovers, with the Sixers committing five out of nine fourth-quarter turnovers in the closing minutes alone. Maxey, who has been a rising star for the team, along with veteran Paul George, was unable to secure the win, each responsible for critical turnovers during that last frame in the disheartening 113-107 loss.

After the game, Maxey reflected on the missed opportunity. "We couldn’t score. They took us out of a lot of the stuff we wanted to accomplish. Most of that was my fault, so I got to do a better job at the end of closing out that game,” he lamented. The emotional weight of the loss was evident, especially considering the Sixers' precarious standing in the Eastern Conference.

Maxey continued, "It’s tough. We let that one slip through our hands. Especially for me, I had a couple of turnovers late. They trapped me a few times in a row, and they kind of flustered me a little bit... It’s OK. We’ll learn from it."

Paul George, who showcased his scoring prowess with 30 points, found himself stymied in the fourth quarter, failing to register any points despite attempting only one shot. He reflected on his performance, stating, "Just bad time management on all of those plays on my behalf. I just got to be more aggressive... I felt like I had a good groove. The back did limit me a little, but no excuse. I got to be better down the stretch."

As the Sixers navigate through their tough road trip, they will next face off against the Golden State Warriors, a formidable opponent that will demand their utmost focus and composure—especially after the bitter pill they had to swallow against the Kings. The pressure is on for Maxey, George, and the rest of the squad to regroup and come back stronger in their next outing. Fans will be watching closely to see if the players can turn this frustrating setback into a lesson learned.