PHILADELPHIA _ The 76ers got back to winning basketball games.
Joel Embiid finished with 27 points and a game-high 14 rebounds as his team defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 105-103, Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
The victory improved the Sixers to 3-3 and snapped their two-game losing streak in a game that wasn't decided until the final second.
Kemba Walker, who finished with a game-high 37 points, pulled the Hornets (3-4) within one possession with 2.6 seconds left.
That's because Ben Simmons fouled the All-Star point guard while he was attempting a 3-pointer. Walker missed the first one before converting the final two to make it a 105-103 game.
On the ensuing possession, Robert Covington received the inbounds pass, ran toward the Hornets' paint and threw the ball in the air as time expired.
Walker needed 31 shots, missing 20 of them, to finish with his point total. He did finish with a game-high six assists to go with two blocks.
In addition to his double-double, Embiid had two blocks and two assists in a game he was cleared to play in right before the start.
The All-Star center rolled his left ankle at the conclusion of Friday's practice. He tested out the ankle during pregame warmups.
Sixers coach Brett Brown said the team doctors felt the injury wasn't as severe as originally expected.
That was good for the Sixers. This game marked the fifth straight time that he has recorded at least 27 points and 10 rebounds. He has also recorded a double-double in all six games.
Simmons had his worst shooting game of the season. The Sixers point guard finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, but made just 5 of 20 shots.
Covington (18 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks) had his first double-double of the season. JJ Redick added 15 points with nine coming in the fourth quarter.
Redick hit a 3-pointer with 2 minutes remaining to give the Sixers a 102-99 advantage. After Walker closed the gap to one point, Covington drained his fourth 3-pointer to put the Sixers up 105-101 with 1:44 to play.
Walker then closed the cap to two points in the closing seconds.
The former Connecticut standout came into the game fourth in the league in scoring at 30.8 points per game. However, the Sixers were able to shut him down in two of the team's four matchups last season.
But on this night, Walker opened the game by making four of his first six shots en route to scoring 11 first-quarter points.
However, the Sixers still managed to lead 32-28 heading into the second quarter. The Sixers clung to a one-point (63-62) advantage at intermission before the Hornets took a two-point lead (85-83) into the fourth.
