PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — Quentin Grimes scored 28 points as the Philadelphia 76ers held off a furious fourth-quarter rally by the Brooklyn Nets for a 104-97 victory on Saturday at Xfinity Mobile Arena. The 76ers built a 26-point lead through three quarters, but the Nets erupted for 41 points in the final period, narrowing the gap to two points in the final minute. Philadelphia sealed the win at the free-throw line, with Grimes making five foul shots in the last 19 seconds. Justin Edwards added 19 points for the 76ers, while Danny Wolf had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Brooklyn. Philadelphia improved to 36-31, while Brooklyn fell to 17-50.

PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant start and a frantic finish, the Philadelphia 76ers held off a furious fourth-quarter rally by the Brooklyn Nets to secure a 104-97 victory on Saturday afternoon at a sold-out Xfinity Mobile Arena. A crowd of 18,418 watched the 76ers, fueled by a 29-point first quarter, build a commanding lead that reached 27 points, only to see the Nets storm back with a 41-point final period that turned a potential blowout into a tense affair in the final minutes. The most critical phase of the game was unquestionably the opening quarter, where Philadelphia established a tone of defensive intensity and offensive efficiency that the Nets could not overcome until it was nearly too late. The 76ers opened on a 10-0 run, highlighted by early dunks from VJ Edgecombe and a stifling defensive effort that forced five Brooklyn turnovers in the first six and a half minutes. Philadelphia’s defense recorded four blocks and four steals in the period, contesting every shot and disrupting Brooklyn’s offensive flow entirely. The Nets managed just 16 points on 6-of-21 shooting in the quarter, while the 76ers shot 61% from the field to take a 29-16 lead, a margin that ballooned to 53-31 by halftime. Philadelphia guard Quentin Grimes led all scorers with 28 points, adding eight rebounds and four assists. His mid-range game was particularly effective, and he sealed the victory with a crucial jumper with 42 seconds remaining and a series of clutch free throws in the final 20 seconds. Justin Edwards provided 19 points and four rebounds, while Edgecombe filled the stat sheet with 16 points, seven assists and four rebounds. The 76ers’ interior defense was anchored by Adem Bona, who blocked four shots and grabbed 10 rebounds. Despite the lopsided early action, the Nets refused to capitulate. Trailing 77-56 entering the fourth, Brooklyn unleashed a barrage of three-pointers. Rookie forward EJ Liddell came off the bench to score all 10 of his points in the final frame, including two three-pointers during the surge. Danny Wolf posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Ben Saraf added 12 points and five assists for Brooklyn. The Nets’ rally saw them trim the deficit to single digits in the final three minutes. A three-pointer by Nolan Traore with 24 seconds left brought Brooklyn to within 99-97, marking the closest the game had been since the opening minutes. The comeback was fueled by improved shot-making—Brooklyn hit 7 of 15 three-point attempts in the fourth—and increased defensive pressure, forcing Philadelphia into a more hurried offense. However, the 76ers’ composure at the free-throw line ultimately closed the door. After Traore’s three made it a two-point game, Philadelphia went 5 for 6 from the line in the closing seconds, with Grimes and Edgecombe combining for the decisive makes. A last-second three-point attempt by Traore to tie the game missed its mark. The statistical story was one of contrasting strengths. Philadelphia’s defense was formidable, blocking 11 shots and recording 12 steals, leading to 17 Brooklyn turnovers. The 76ers also dominated inside, outscoring Brooklyn 58-34 in the paint. Conversely, the Nets won the battle from beyond the arc, making 15 three-pointers to Philadelphia’s 3, and outrebounded the 76ers 52-46, including 12 offensive boards. The victory improved Philadelphia’s record to 36-31, solidifying its position in the Eastern Conference playoff chase. The loss dropped Brooklyn to 17-50, though the team’s resilient fourth-quarter performance provided a stark contrast to its recent struggles, which included a 38-point loss to Detroit earlier in the week. Philadelphia will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. Brooklyn returns home to face Portland on Monday.

Preview: Struggling Nets Face 76ers in Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — The Philadelphia 76ers will look to solidify their playoff positioning when they host the struggling Brooklyn Nets on Saturday afternoon at Xfinity Mobile Arena. The 76ers (35-31) enter the contest holding the Eastern Conference’s seed but are just 3-7 in their last 10 games, including a 131-109 road loss to Detroit on Thursday. Philadelphia has been inconsistent, mixing wins over contenders with puzzling losses. Philadelphia forward Justin Edwards is coming off a strong all-around performance in the loss to the Pistons, posting 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes. His role has fluctuated, but he has logged significant minutes in three of the last five games. The Nets (17-49) own the league’s second-worst record and have lost eight of their last nine games. They are coming off a 108-97 defeat in Atlanta on Thursday. Brooklyn’s lone victory in that stretch was a 126-115 home win over Memphis on March 9. Second-year forward Josh Minott has emerged as a bright spot for Brooklyn. He scored a career-high 24 points in 24 minutes against the Hawks, adding three rebounds and three blocks. Prior to that breakout, he had been in and out of the rotation. This is the fourth and final regular-season meeting between the Atlantic Division foes. Philadelphia leads the season series 2-1, but Brooklyn won the most recent matchup, 114-106, here in Philadelphia on Dec. 23, 2025. For the 76ers, this begins a critical three-game homestand before a difficult five-game road trip. They host Portland on Sunday. The Nets continue a four-game road trip in Portland on Monday.