Man, if you missed the January 7, 2026, matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Wizards, you missed a lot more than just a box score. It wasn't just a 131-110 blowout win for Philly.
It was a statement.
For the first time all season, the 76ers looked like the terrifying juggernaut everyone expected when they signed Paul George. But the real earthquake happened right after the final buzzer, with news breaking that the Wizards had just pulled off a blockbuster trade for Trae Young.
Talk about a shift in the NBA landscape.
What Really Happened with 76ers vs Wizards Last Game
The game itself, held at the Wells Fargo Center, was basically a masterclass in offensive efficiency from the Sixers' new "Big Three." Honestly, it’s kind of wild it took this long to see them all click at once. Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George each dropped 20-plus points.
That’s the first time they’ve all hit that mark in the same game.
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Embiid was doing Embiid things, finishing with 28 points on a super-efficient 10-of-14 shooting. He looked healthy, which is always the caveat with him, but he was moving well, dominating the paint, and even stepped out for a few mid-range jumpers that looked effortless.
Paul George added 23, and Maxey chipped in 22 with 8 assists.
When those three are rolling, there’s basically no defense in the league that can cover every hole. Every single Sixers starter actually finished in double figures. That’s rare. Even Quentin Grimes, who’s been a solid addition, had a massive 16 points, including a dunk that capped off an 11-0 run to start the fourth quarter and effectively ended the night for Washington.
The Return of the Depth
One thing people sort of overlooked was the return of Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford. Oubre had been out since mid-November with a knee injury. While he only scored two points, just having his length and energy back in the rotation changes how Nick Nurse can play.
Watford also returned from an abductor sprain.
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For the first time in the 2025-2026 season, Philadelphia actually had their full complement of players. No excuses. No "what ifs." Just a complete roster, and the result was a 21-point dismantling of a Wizards team that had actually been playing pretty decent ball lately.
Why the Wizards Looked Outmatched
Washington came into this one having won five of their last seven. They weren't the "easy out" they were at the start of the year. But playing on the second night of a back-to-back is brutal, especially against a rested Philly team.
They were missing Khris Middleton, who was out with a right knee injury.
Without Middleton’s veteran presence and scoring, the offense felt a bit scattered. Rookie sensation Tre Johnson did his best, leading the Wizards with 20 points, and Tristan Vukčević showed some flashes with 16, but they couldn't buy a stop.
The Wizards fell to 10-26, which sounds bad, but the vibe around the team changed the second the Trae Young news leaked.
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The Trae Young Trade Bombshell
You've got to wonder if the Wizards players knew something was up during the game. Right as the highlights were being cut, reports surfaced that Washington had traded for Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks.
The deal apparently involved CJ McCollum heading to Atlanta along with Corey Kispert and a haul of picks.
It’s a massive gamble for Washington. They’re pivoting from a slow rebuild to a "Trae Young-centric" identity overnight. For a team that just got cooked by the 76ers' star power, bringing in a legitimate All-Star point guard is a clear sign they’re tired of being in the basement of the Eastern Conference.
Key Takeaways from the Matchup
Looking back at the 76ers vs Wizards last game, there are a few things that actually matter for the rest of the season:
- The Philly Ceiling: When Embiid plays 25-30 minutes and shoots over 70%, the Sixers are arguably the best team in the East. They moved to 20-15 with this win and look like they’re finally shaking off the early-season rust.
- The Bench is Deep: Andre Drummond and Quentin Grimes combined for 27 points. If the bench can provide that kind of punch, it takes the pressure off George and Maxey to be perfect every night.
- Washington’s New Era: This was the last game of the "Pre-Trae" era. The defensive struggles they showed against Maxey (who basically lived in the paint) highlight exactly why they needed a dynamic playmaker who can at least offset defensive lapses with elite offensive production.
The game ended 131-110, but the impact will be felt for months. Philly is finally healthy and scary. Washington is now the most interesting "bad" team in the league.
If you're looking to track how these teams progress, keep an eye on Philly's defensive rating over the next ten games now that they have their full wing rotation back. For the Wizards, the focus shifts entirely to how Trae Young integrates with Tre Johnson. That backcourt could be electric, or it could be a defensive nightmare, but it definitely won't be boring.
Practical Next Steps:
Check the injury report for Kelly Oubre Jr. before the Sixers' next game to see if his minutes restriction is lifted. If you're following the Wizards, watch for Trae Young's debut date—usually, it takes 48–72 hours for trade physicals to clear before a player can suit up. Watch the 4th quarter highlights of this specific game if you want to see what a "perfect" Sixers offense looks like; that 11-0 run was a clinic.