NBA Notes: Sixers, Tyrese Maxey, Pelicans, James Borrego, Thunder

76ers

Tyrese Maxey didn’t sugarcoat anything after the Sixers let a double-digit lead slip away against a shorthanded Pistons team. Philadelphia was up 12 in the third quarter, then unraveled in a 114-105 loss.

“You’ve got to be mentally tougher,” Maxey told Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “Early on we did a good job, but once they went on a couple of runs, you’ve got to stay with it. You’ve got to stay mentally tough.”

Dominick Barlow called it a missed opportunity.

“They outworked us,” Barlow said. “They made shots, credit to them. But we’ve got to win that game.”

Kelly Oubre Jr. didn’t play in the second half because of a left knee injury and is scheduled for an MRI on Saturday, per Pompey. Oubre entered the night averaging 18.0 points and 5.5 rebounds across 11 games.

Pelicans

James Borrego will ride out the rest of the season as New Orleans’ interim coach, according to Will Guillory of The Athletic. Borrego was put in place when the Pelicans fired Willie Green after a 2-10 start.

The organization released statements from both Joe Dumars and owner Gayle Benson, each confirming Dumars made the call.

Borrego was widely viewed as the in-house successor, especially after New Orleans blocked the Knicks from interviewing him earlier this fall. He now steps into his third head-coaching opportunity after stops in Orlando and Charlotte.

Thunder

Luguentz Dort may be close to returning. The Thunder wing, who has missed five straight games with an upper-trap strain, has been upgraded to questionable for Saturday’s matchup in Charlotte, per Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman.

Dort was an All-Defensive First Team pick last season and could reach free agency next summer depending on how Oklahoma City handles his $18.2 million team option for 2026–27.