Player grades: Joel Embiid-less 76ers fall to Rockets in critical loss

The Philadelphia 76ers continued with their season on Thursday when they paid a visit to the Houston Rockets looking to get back in the win column. The Sixers received some tough news as they found out Joel Embiid had to undergo appendicitis surgery that will keep him out for some time.

Without Embiid, the Sixers struggled as they were unable to find much of a groove all night in a 113-102 loss to the Rockets. The Sixers deserve credit for a huge fourth quarter when it cut a 28-point deficit down to five, but it wasn't enough. The loss coupled with a win by the Toronto Raptors over the Miami Heat has the Sixers sitting two games back of Toronto and the Atlanta Hawks for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with just two games left.

Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 23 points and five assists, VJ Edgecombe had 21 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, Quentin Grimes had 20 off the bench, and Kelly Oubre Jr. had 16 points. Paul George finished with seven points and four rebounds.

Here are the player grades following the loss:

Tyrese Maxey: C-plus

It was another slow start for Maxey as he was unable to get much going on the offensive end. He had some good looks while using his aggressiveness to get into the paint, but he struggled to convert on those looks while also being a part of the team’s turnover problem with the Rockets being able to get out and run on a regular basis. Eventually, Maxey was able to find a rhythm with his 3-point shot as he was a guy the Sixers could consistently turn to after his slow start to lead this team on the offensive end.

VJ Edgecombe: B-minus

The rookie did his best to give the Sixers some offense. He did a good job of getting to his spots on the offensive end and he was able to knock down some tough looks, including two 3-pointers to keep the Sixers afloat. There were some miscues defensively and he also contributed to the turnover problems, but Edgecombe wasn’t bad in this one. He played a big part in the comeback effort in the fourth quarter.

Paul George: D

The 9-time All-Star was solid on the defensive end as he was able to force turnovers and bother Houston’s ball-handlers with his activity on that side of the floor. He had a couple of buckets in the second quarter, but that was it. He struggled on his 3-point looks, was unable to get going in terms of his offense, and had some bad turnovers as the Rockets got whatever they wanted. It was an overall tough night for George.

Kelly Oubre Jr.: C-plus

Somebody had to put the ball in the basket, and Oubre took it upon himself to be that offensive engine for Philadelphia. He knocked down an early 3-pointer before then putting the ball on the floor and coming up with a nice finish in the paint to get the scoreboard moving. Oubre did his best to give the Sixers some offense and do a little bit of everything on the floor as he played with the right mindset.

Adem Bona: D

Getting the start amid the Embiid news, Bona struggled a bit with Rockets star Alperen Sengun as there was just a size disadvantage all night. He gave Philadelphia some energy and he made the Rockets think twice on their drives, but Bona struggled a bit in this one. The Sixers just needed more.

Quentin Grimes: C

With the Sixers needing a scoring punch, Grimes hopped off the bench and gave it. He was able to get going with a corner 3-pointer quickly before then putting the ball on the floor and drawing a foul and getting to the line. After that quick start, Grimes didn’t give much, but he at least played hard so there’s that.

Dominick Barlow: D-plus

It was a tough run for Barlow who wasn’t able to give the Sixers much. He gave Philadelphia something of a spark in the energy department, but he missed a floater in the paint and struggled to really do much in this one.

Andre Drummond: B-minus

The veteran big man had some issues on the defensive end, but he was able to help on the glass and he had a bucket in his initial stint. Drummond then had some nice passes in his second stint as he was directing the offense a bit. There were some good moments for the 14-year veteran out of UConn on a night where not a lot went right for Philadelphia.

Jabari Walker: Incomplete

Needing some help on the glass, the Sixers turned to Walker in the second quarter. He had an offensive rebound and a putback in his initial stint. He didn't play after four minutes.

Justin Edwards: B

The Sixers turned to Edwards in the fourth and he gave Philadelphia a huge spark as it worked its way back into this game. The second-year forward was helpful on the defensive end and came up with some big buckets on the offensive end.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Player grades: Joel Embiid-less 76ers fall to Rockets in critical loss