Sixers Bell Ringer: Big Fourth Quarter Propels Sixers to Win over Wizards

Another season, another chance to determine who is the Sixers’ Bell Ringer after each game. Win or lose, you’ll vote on which player had the most memorably positive impact on the outcome. It could be the Sixer with the best statistical night, someone who stepped up for a career-best in a certain area, or just the guy responsible for a key play. The award criteria is fluid, and ultimately based on your own interpretation. Let’s kick off the 2020-21 Bell Ringer following the Sixers’ 113-107 win over Washington.

Joel Embiid: 29 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers

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With his team entering the fourth quarter down by 10 points, Joel Embiid did what star players do and put the team on his back. The big man scored 15 of the Sixers’ 40 points in the final period, also recording both of his assists in the frame. Embiid handled double-teams as they came, got to the foul line, and sank a handful of face-up jumpers. The pivotal stretch at the beginning of the fourth saw Embiid surrounded by four shooters (Seth Curry, Shake Milton, Furkan Korkmaz, and Mike Scott), exactly the sort of line-up to maximize Joel’s effectiveness. So far, so good, in the “tweak the roster to play to the strengths of your stars” experiment.

Shake Milton: 19 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 3 steals, 0 turnovers

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The newly-minted sixth man followed up an excellent training camp and preseason with an outstanding effort in the opener. Shake got to his spots, nailed a couple 3s, and took care of the basketball. Crucially for Milton’s ability to remain on the court, the guard also put forth a strong effort on the defensive effort, recording the three steals and largely holding his own against Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook. Shake was part of the closing line-up and that’s a development we could be seeing a lot more of moving forward.

Ben Simmons: 16 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks, 4 turnovers

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One Russell Westbrook hesitation dribble that caused Ben to stumble to the floor aside, last season’s All-Defensive player was outstanding again on that end. Both of his steals were instinctive plays that immediately led to transition opportunities for the Sixers, and Ben made an incredible play late in the fourth to block Thomas Bryant at the rim and keep Philadelphia within one point. Offensively, although Ben did try an elbow jumper in the game’s opening minute, not too much looked different in that department for him, warts and all. Simmons did seal the game with a dunk in the final minute when Westbrook made the wrong decision to leave him under the basket and cover Embiid at the foul line.

Tyrese Maxey: 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover

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I have to give props to the Sixers’ first-round pick, who saw first-quarter minutes and didn’t look the least bit afraid of the moment in his first NBA game. Maxey continues to be able to get to the basket seemingly whenever he wants, and flashed a sweet cross-court pass for a Mike Scott corner 3. More nights less this and we’ll see the rookie’s 11 minutes of playing time climb in short order.