Still no losing streaks to speak of for the 2026-27 Sixers.

The Sixers earned a 127-121 win Sunday over the Bulls to wrap up a 2-1 road trip. They moved to 9-2 overall and Chicago fell to 1-8. 

Every Sixers starter scored in double figures. 

Three reached the 20-point mark in Jaylen Brown (29 points), Tyrese Maxey (27 points) and LeBron James (22). Joel Embiid had 18 points and 10 rebounds. 

Josh Giddey posted 19 points, 15 assists and seven rebounds for the Bulls.

The Sixers were without Adem Bona (cervical spine sprain), Dominick Barlow (lower back stress reaction) and Ariel Hukporti (right Achilles tendon tear). The Bulls’ absences included Norman Powell (right shoulder inflammation/soreness) and Zach Collins (respiratory illness). 

Next on the Sixers’ schedule is a home game Tuesday night vs. the Celtics. Here are observations on their win over Chicago:

Embiid sees one go down 

Following his 0-for-9 night Friday in the Sixers’ loss to the Cavaliers, Embiid did not snap right back into form. 

He was well short on his first shot attempt, a wide-open three-pointer. Embiid then failed to score in the post over Jalen Smith.

Embiid got a field goal to go at the 6:42 mark of the first quarter when he tipped in his own miss. However, Smith canned a three on the ensuing possession to give Chicago a 23-16 lead. 

James committed two early turnovers, although he did sink a corner three-pointer during a fast-paced first quarter. VJ Edgecombe added two long-range jumpers in the first.

Entering Sunday, the Sixers’ minus-9.6 net rating in the first quarter ranked 27th in the NBA. They managed to hold a one-point lead in Chicago after the first.

Walker, Sixers shine on the boards 

The Sixers’ offensive rebounding was their greatest strength in the first quarter. They poured in 17 second-chance points. Embiid had four offensive boards in the opening frame. 

Jabari Walker assumed backup center duties for the second straight game without Bona. He picked up where Embiid left off on the glass, grabbing seven rebounds (three offensive) in a great first stint. 

Though he’s undersized in the height department for an NBA center at 6-foot-7, Walker has plenty of rebounding tools. 

He’s listed at a strong 237 pounds, doesn’t mind contact whatsoever, hunts the ball, and has a knack for winning contested boards. Walker showed all of that Sunday. Very hard to overstate how well he rebounded.

Sixers hold off Bulls in final minutes

The Sixers’ first-shot offense also had many bright moments in the second quarter. 

James got rolling on his way to a 16-point first half, Embiid made a couple of mid-range jumpers, and Maxey hit two free throws put the Sixers up 60-50 late in the second period. 

Chicago evened the game at 68-all early in the third quarter on a Matas Buzelis three, but the Bulls couldn’t sustain that run.

The Bulls’ defense continued to look like one of the worst in the NBA and the Sixers’ well-balanced offense kept the scoreboard moving. Brown nailed a turnaround jumper to give his team a double-digit lead. Walker knocked down a top-of-the-key triple to extend the Sixers’ advantage to 12 points.

The Sixers had two apparent injury scares in the second half. Brown limped to the sideline with 6:55 to go in the third quarter, but he stayed in the game. Edgecombe headed to the locker room after subbing out at the 9:08 mark of the fourth quarter. He returned to the Sixers’ bench and ultimately returned for a final stint.

On the floor, the Sixers couldn’t ease to victory. Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson trimmed Chicago’s deficit to 116-113 by draining a three. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse called timeout.

The Sixers were efficient enough in the half court down the stretch.

Embiid made a put-back hoop and a pair of free throws. Maxey drilled a side-step three-ball after a wraparound feed from James. The Sixers converted their clutch free throws and secured a winning road trip.