After winning the NBA’s Most Improved Player award for 2023/24 last week, Tyrese Maxey capped a memorable April with the biggest game of his four-year NBA career on Tuesday. The star guard scored 46 points in 52 minutes, including seven in the final 30 seconds of regulation to force the game into overtime, leading the Sixers to a Game 5 victory that kept their season alive.
“What was going through my mind was trying to survive,” Maxey said, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “Our season is on the line. I trust my work. I trust what I’ve done all my life, and I just tried to get to a spot, raise up and knock that shot down.”
The Sixers’ other star, Joel Embiid, had a triple-double in Tuesday’s victory, racking up 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. But Embiid, who is dealing with a sore knee, a case of Bell’s palsy, and a migraine that forced him to miss Tuesday morning’s shootaround, clearly wasn’t operating at full strength and made just 7-of-19 shots from the field. Last season’s MVP said after the game that he appreciated Maxey coming through when the club needed him most.
“Tonight, obviously based on the circumstances and knowing what was needed, based on what was happening and me not being able to be myself, he just had to do it,” Embiid said, per Bontemps. “And he did it. That’s why he is such an amazing basketball player.”
Here’s more on the Sixers, who now trail the Knicks 3-2 in their first-round series:
- Embiid has become public enemy number one among Knicks fans during the first round, especially following a physical Game 3 performance in which he was accused of committing a “dirty” foul on opposing center Mitchell Robinson. However, the Sixers star had nothing but praise for the New York faithful after being on the receiving end of their vitriol in Game 5, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post. “It’s not hostile. I love New York. New York is my favorite city in the world. I have a place here for the past five years. I just love New York,” Embiid said. “And then the (Knicks) fans, when you play against a team they’re always gonna pick that guy. And they seem to have picked me, which is fine. I love it. If I gotta be the punching bag and keep hearing a lot of ‘F Embiid,’ that’s ok. I love it.”
- Nick Nurse become the second NBA head coach to suffer an injury during the postseason, though it doesn’t sound as if his issue is as serious as Chris Finch‘s patellar tendon tear, which required surgery. As Ian Begley of SNY.tv tweets, Nurse injured a finger during Tuesday’s game when he slammed his hand in frustration over a call. It’s unclear if he broke or sprained the finger, but the 76ers’ coach couldn’t grip a marker to draw up plays during the second half, Begley adds.
- Prior to Tuesday’s game, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer suggested that it might be a good idea to bring struggling forward Tobias Harris off the bench after he scored no more than 10 points in any of the series’ first four games. However, Nurse stuck with Harris in the starting five and the veteran rewarded his faith in Game 5, Pompey notes, scoring 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Harris was a +11 in 49 minutes of action. “Coach drew up some opportunities for me early on to get me going,” Harris said. “And I think that was just big for myself and overall, and just getting into a rhythm and getting into a flow out there.”
now we know. maxey can get you a game. ai vibes?
it did feel like watching AI for the first time in a very (too) long time
Maxey can get you more than just a game my corn picking friend. This kid is capable of taking over a series. A.I.like.
“This kid is capable of taking over a series.”
He probably should get on that then.
Icon of what ? He got on that in the rotten apple last night bruddah.
Don’t you mean Icon of Wat?
Willis is a philly troll, this is like his third screen name, you can tell by the bad spelling and pathetic insults.
Yeah, I don’t mind the insults, but reading the first grade drivel is kinda hard.
Hate how it ended but this was one of the most incredible games I’ve seen in a while. Props to Maxey and the Sixers. Knicks didn’t do themselves favors in the clutch either.
Robinson fouling on that three when the Knicks were up by 6 with 25 seconds left was legit braindead.
Like your obvious comments. Icon of the obvious.
People who get completely bent out of shape over a little trash talk are hilarious.
People who comment on nothing with nothing are even more hilarious.
People who try to troll when they can’t write a complete sentence are the most hilarious of all.
That’s cool babe, keep on liking them.
Go sixers
Yeah, go away!
Wow that one hit me hard
Maxey was the man. He showed up big…..
Robinson foul was terrible …..
Someone has to step up and take on the challenge of slowing Maxey down. Team D has to step up. To close gms out. Big win for Sixers.
I’d also sprinkle in the missed free throws at the end of the game. Three to be precise.