Tyrese Maxey had a memorable game at Madison Square Garden, leading a comeback that saved the 76ers from being knocked out of the playoffs. His quick scoring spree, reminiscent of Reggie Miller’s legendary performance, helped Philadelphia stay alive.
Maxey wasn’t focused on personal glory; he just wanted to keep his team in the game. With his crucial plays, the 76ers managed to force overtime and eventually secure a 112-106 win over the New York Knicks in Game 5.
Down by six points with less than half a minute left in regulation, Maxey’s heroics turned the tide. His performance even drew comparisons to Miller’s iconic comeback in 1995. For Maxey, it was all about necessity—saving their season from ending.
His four-point play and long-range shot in the final seconds of regulation silenced the home crowd, who had expected a Knicks victory.
Joel Embiid had a strong performance with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists for the Sixers. They will play Game 6 at home on Thursday.
Jalen Brunson scored 40 points for the Knicks, who were hoping for a second-round game at MSG. Now, they face the possibility of a Game 7 in this series, which seemed nearly over.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau admitted it was a tough loss, emphasizing the need for better play with a lead. This game marked the second time the Sixers rallied to avoid defeat in a tight series against the Knicks.
Embiid, dealing with health issues, didn’t score as much as usual, but Tyrese Maxey stepped up with seven 3-pointers and nine assists. Sixers coach Nick Nurse praised Maxey’s effort, highlighting his willingness to take charge and make plays when needed.
Maxey’s performance set a new record for the Sixers, surpassing Allen Iverson’s 44 points in a crucial Game 7 win against Milwaukee in the 2001 Eastern Conference final.
Maxey’s final 3-pointer in overtime kickstarted the 76ers’ comeback after Brunson’s early scoring. This led to a 9-0 run, with Embiid sealing it with a three-point play for a 106-102 lead. Oubre Jr. and Harris also contributed, helping the team secure the win.
Harris scored 19 points, while Oubre added 14. Hart and Anunoby scored 18 and 17 points respectively for the Knicks, who initially seemed poised for victory after winning Game 4.
Despite facing criticism and loud boos from Knicks fans, Embiid stayed focused, acknowledging the energy of the crowd. Maxey’s outstanding performance, coupled with Embiid’s resilience, kept the Sixers in the game.
Robinson returned from injury, but the Knicks suffered another setback with Bogdanovic ruled out for the rest of the playoffs due to injury. The Knicks capitalized on Embiid’s absence in the second quarter, going on a significant run to take the lead. However, the Sixers fought back, winning the game.
