The Sixers’ defense was not at its finest and the Thunder’s offensive execution was razor-sharp after two straight losses to the Spurs. Jalen Williams beat Paul George on a backdoor cut and laid the ball in. Holmgren scored twice over Dominick Barlow in the post and jammed in an unguarded fast-break dunk.

Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points, Quentin Grimes had 13 and former Oklahoma City star Paul George added 12 for the Sixers (16-14), which played without injured starter Joel Embiid (ankle). Philadelphia committed 23 turnovers leading to 31 Oklahoma City points.

As the Sixers took the floor on Sunday afternoon for the second contest of their season-long five-game road trip, they had their hands full. Because amid the first true slump experienced by the juggernaut Thunder since the 2023-24 season, Oklahoma City looked focused on getting back on track.

The Philadelphia 76ers made a move before the road trip when they brought in MarJon Beauchamp from their G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, on a two-way deal. Beauchamp was averaging 26.5 points and shooting 50% from deep in five games for the Blue Coats in the tip off tournament.

The Sixers are 0-4 when Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey all suit up. Next up? A visit to the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

Across the Sixers' losses to Chicago on Friday and to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Maxey has only made 12 of his 38 shot attempts. He has gone significant periods of time looking strikingly passive, a stark contrast from the go-getter mentality that has netted the best results of his NBA career.

The Oklahoma City Thunder (26-5) comes off their first consecutive losses of the season as they host the Philadelphia 76ers (16-13), who have also lost two straight, at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday afternoon.

The Sixers waived rookie two-way contract shooting guard Hunter Sallis before signing Beauchamp. Two-ways Barlow and Jabari Walker have been regulars in the Sixers’ rotation. Barlow’s been especially versatile and valuable, starting 15 games and averaging 9.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.8 steals.

Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors have begun to find their rhythm, securing their third straight win with a 126-116 victory over Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day. And on Sunday, the Warriors looked to keep that momentum going as they opened a three-game road trip against the Toronto Raptors.