BREAKING: Snowstorm pushes 76ers at Hornets to 3 p.m., Embiid and George out, Maxey on center stage
The NBA moved today’s 76ers at Hornets game to a rare afternoon start to stay ahead of a fast-moving winter storm on the East Coast. Tipoff is now 3 p.m. ET at Spectrum Center in Charlotte. The timing was not the only jolt. Philadelphia ruled out Joel Embiid and Paul George for left knee injury management, a late call that flips the feel of this matchup and the stakes around it.
I’m inside Spectrum Center, where arena staff opened doors early and players adjusted warmups to a new clock. The storm has turned a normal Monday night into a matinee with a playoff edge. Travel, routines, rotations, all of it changed before lunch.
The league advanced tipoff to 3 p.m. ET to prioritize team and fan safety amid severe winter weather.
Who is in, who is out
Philadelphia enters at 24–20, sixth in the East, and a strong 12–7 away from home. The Sixers will lean on All Star guard Tyrese Maxey, who is averaging about 29.9 points and 6.8 assists. Without Embiid’s gravity and George’s shot making, Maxey’s touches and shots will rise again. Expect more drive and kick. Expect more pace.
Charlotte is 18–28, 12th in the East, and 8–13 at home. Mason Plumlee remains out after groin surgery, and KJ Simpson is listed as questionable. LaMelo Ball continues to run the show at around 19 points and 7 assists. Rookie wing Kon Knueppel has been a bright spark at 18.9 points, with a calm scoring feel that plays in any lineup.
Here is what changed today, and why it matters:
- Tipoff moved to 3 p.m. ET, which disrupts routines and can slow early shooting
- Embiid and George are out, which shifts the Sixers offense to quick actions for Maxey
- Hornets depth is tested with Plumlee out, Simpson uncertain, more minutes for young legs
- Betting market now leans Charlotte at -1.5, with a total of 228.5
How the matchup changes
This becomes a guard game, and it favors tempo. Without Embiid, Philadelphia will be smaller for long stretches. That invites more switching, more five-out spacing, and quicker decisions. Maxey will hunt gaps, touch the paint, and spray to spot-up shooters. The Sixers must win the turnover battle and the three point math to keep control.
For Charlotte, LaMelo and Knueppel get a runway. Ball’s pace can stress a defense that will not have Embiid behind it. His hit-ahead passes, paired with Knueppel’s movement and shot balance, can create early threes and quick cuts. If the Hornets own the glass, they can stack extra chances and control the rhythm.
Bench minutes could swing this. Afternoon games often come down to which second unit finds a spark. Charlotte’s youth has fresh legs. Philadelphia’s role players have handled big moments on the road. The first team to 10 made threes may be the one that pulls away.
The star duel to watch
Maxey vs Ball is the headline. Maxey thrives in chaos, with speed that bends coverage. Ball thrives in vision, with angles that few guards see. If Maxey gets downhill early, fouls pile up and the Sixers live at the line. If Ball dictates tempo, the Hornets run after misses, and the crowd rides the wave.
Betting and viewing guide
Oddsmakers now list the Hornets as a slight favorite at -1.5, total 228.5. The number reflects two forces, a faster pace without Embiid, and some shooting volatility in an early window. If you like Charlotte, you are betting on LaMelo’s table setting, Knueppel’s finishing, and a rebounding edge. If you like Philadelphia, you trust Maxey to own the ball, win clutch time, and lift spacing around him.
Set your alerts for a 3 p.m. ET start. Watch on NBC Sports Philadelphia and Fox Sports Southeast Charlotte, or stream on Fubo.
Keep an eye on late statuses near warmups, especially for Simpson. Lines can move fast in weather weeks.
Why it matters today
This is more than a storm game. The Sixers are trying to steady the middle of the East, and a road win without Embiid or George would carry weight in the locker room. It also protects tiebreakers and confidence for a long trip. The Hornets are hunting momentum and a climb toward the play-in line. Beating a top six team, even one shorthanded, can change a week, and maybe a month.
Afternoon hoops has a different feel. Less pregame buildup, more pure basketball. The first quarter will tell the story. If shots fall early, we could fly past that 228.5 total with both guards in rhythm. If the storm creeps into the building, expect a grind, free throws, and a clutch finish.
We have tip in a matter of hours. Snow outside, bright lights inside. Maxey, Ball, and a matchup that just turned urgent. Buckle up. ❄️
