Michael Porter Jr and Egor Demin Lead Brooklyn to Holiday Stunner in Philadelphia
In a festive clash just two days before Christmas, the Philadelphia 76ers faithful were left hoping for a holiday miracle that never quite arrived. While the return of a briefly injured Joel Embiid provided a collective sigh of relief for the home crowd, the night ultimately belonged to the visiting Brooklyn Nets.
Led by a scorching offensive performance from Michael Porter Jr. and clutch late-game shooting from Egor Demin, the Nets stunned Philadelphia at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, securing a decisive 114-106 victory on Tuesday night.ย ย
Porter Jr. Ignites Brooklyn’s Offense Early
Michael Porter Jr. wasted no time asserting his dominance on the hardwood, delivering a performance that left the 76ers’ defense scrambling for answers. Coming off a 24-point outing against Toronto on Sunday, Porter Jr. eclipsed that total in the first half alone against Philadelphia. By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, he had already poured in 25 points, propelling the Nets to a 63-57 lead. He finished the night with a team-high 28 points, connecting on 5 of 12 shots from beyond the arc. His offensive explosion set the tone for a Brooklyn team that looked confident and aggressive from the opening tip.
That is when Egor Demin stepped up to deliver the final blows. With the game teetering in the balance, Demin showcased nerves of steel, draining a pair of critical 3-pointers late in the final frame to extinguish Philadelphia’s comeback hopes.
Demin finished with 20 points, providing the perfect complementary scoring punch to Porter Jr.’s early heroics. Inside the paint, Nic Claxton was a force on the glass, contributing a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, ensuring the Nets controlled the interior despite the presence of Philadelphia’s star center.
Embiid Scares Crowd, Maxey Struggles to Find Rhythm
For the 76ers, the night was defined as much by anxiety as it was by the final score. The arena fell silent in the opening minute of the third quarter when reigning MVP Joel Embiid collided with Brooklyn’s Terance Mann. Embiid went to the locker room clutching his right knee, a sight that is all too familiar and terrifying for Philadelphia fans.
Fortunately, the superstar center returned to the bench and re-entered the game a few minutes later, showing his resilience. Embiid finished with 27 points on efficient shooting, having scored 19 of those in the first half alone, but his efforts were not enough to overcome Brooklyn’s balanced attack.
Game Summary
- Matchup: Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers
- Final Score: Nets 114, 76ers 106
- Records: Nets (9-19), Philadelphia (16-12)
- Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
- Date: December 23, 2025
Key Moments and Facts
- Injury Scare: Joel Embiid briefly left the game in the 3rd quarter after a knee collision but returned to play.
- Hot Start: Michael Porter Jr. scored 25 points in the first half, eclipsing his previous game total before the break.
- Clutch Closing: After Philadelphia cut a 19-point lead to 9, Egor Demin hit two consecutive 3-pointers to seal the win.
- Perimeter Dominance: The Nets made 17 3-pointers on 46 attempts.
Top Performers
- Michael Porter Jr. (BKN): 28 points, 5-of-12 3PT
- Egor Demin (BKN): 20 points, clutch late 3s
- Nic Claxton (BKN): 16 points, 10 rebounds
- Joel Embiid (PHI): 27 points, 7-of-10 FG (1st half)
- Paul George (PHI): 19 points
Up Next
- Brooklyn Nets: At Minnesota Timberwolves, Saturday, Dec 27.
- Philadelphia 76ers: At Chicago Bulls, Friday, Dec 26.
