Philadelphia 76ers vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction | 01.26.26

Philadelphia 76ers vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction, Odds & NBA Picks | 26-01-2026

The regular NBA season brings us an intriguing Eastern Conference clash as the Philadelphia 76ers (24-20) travel to face the Charlotte Hornets (18-28) on January 26, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST at Spectrum Center in Charlotte. This matchup pits a playoff-contending 76ers squad, albeit one battling significant injury woes, against a Hornets team striving for consistency.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Charlotte Hornets Matchup Preview

Philadelphia 76ers Key Stats & Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers enter this contest facing an uphill battle, primarily due to critical absences. Their offensive engine, Tyrese Maxey, has been exceptional, leading the team with an impressive 29.9 points per game and orchestrating the offense with 6.8 assists per game. His all-around impact is further highlighted by his rating, which includes 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 1.0 block per game. On the glass, Andre Drummond remains a force, averaging 9.0 rebounds. However, the team’s depth and defensive integrity will be severely tested without their two biggest stars, placing immense pressure on Maxey and the supporting cast to maintain competitiveness.

Injury Report Philadelphia 76ers

• Paul George (Out): George has been ruled out for Monday’s game versus the Hornets due to left knee injury management, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports.
• Joel Embiid (Out): Embiid has been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Hornets due to left knee injury management, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports.
• MarJon Beauchamp (Day-to-day): The 76ers have signed Beauchamp to a two-way contract on Tuesday, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports.

Charlotte Hornets Key Stats & Trends

The Charlotte Hornets, despite their sub-.500 record, possess offensive firepower capable of challenging any defense. Rookie sensation Brandon Miller has stepped up admirably, leading the team in scoring with 20.0 points per game. Veteran guard LaMelo Ball remains the primary playmaker, dishing out 7.6 assists per game, complementing his scoring (19.3 PPG) and overall rating (5.0 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG). Inside, Moussa Diabate has been a strong presence on the boards, averaging 8.3 rebounds. The Hornets will look to exploit the depleted 76ers’ interior defense and capitalize on their home court advantage.

Injury Report Charlotte Hornets

• Collin Sexton (Day-to-day): Sexton (hamstring) is probable for Monday’s game against the 76ers.
• KJ Simpson (Out): Simpson (hip) has been ruled out for Monday’s game against the 76ers.
• Mason Plumlee (Out): Plumlee underwent surgery to address his right groin injury and will be reevaluated in six weeks, the Hornets announced.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction & Best Bet

This game presents a unique challenge for the 76ers without Joel Embiid and Paul George. While the Hornets have their own injury concerns with Mason Plumlee out, the probable return of Collin Sexton provides a boost to their backcourt. However, the sheer offensive brilliance of Tyrese Maxey for Philadelphia cannot be understated. He has proven capable of carrying a heavy scoring load, and the Hornets’ defense, even at home, is not elite. Given the critical absences for the 76ers, the spread favors Charlotte, but Maxey’s ability to keep the game close, combined with Andre Drummond’s rebounding, makes the 76ers a live underdog against a sometimes inconsistent Hornets squad.

Therefore, our definitive pick is Philadelphia 76ers +3.5 (Spread).

Considering the offensive talent on both sides, even with the 76ers’ key injuries, we anticipate a relatively high-scoring affair. Without Embiid’s elite rim protection, the Hornets could find easier paths to the basket. Maxey, Ball, and Miller are all capable of putting up big numbers. We predict the total points will go over 227.5.