Tyrese Maxey became Philadelphia's hero on Wednesday (PHL time), erupting for a playoff career-high 46 points in a 112-106 overtime victory against the New York Knicks, and saving the 76ers' first-round series for another day.
With the Sixers trailing by six points with only 28 seconds remaining in regulation, Knicks fans were on the verge of erupting for a second-consecutive trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals. But Maxey had other plans.
He converted a four-point play with 25 seconds left, followed by a game-tying 35-footer with just 8.1 seconds remaining, silencing the Madison Square Garden crowd.
Maxey also registered nine assists, seven threes, and five rebounds.MAXEY DRILLS ANOTHER 3 AND TIES THE GAME 🤯🤯🤯
— NBA (@NBA) May 1, 2024
GAME 5 IS HEADED TO OVERTIME ON TNT 🍿 https://t.co/EdhU7mHKQB pic.twitter.com/od3bVWXHMH
He sank seven of 12 three-point attempts.ELIMINATION GAME TYRESE MAXEY:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 1, 2024
46 POINTS (PLAYOFF CAREER-HIGH)
9 ASSISTS
7 THREES
5 REBOUNDS
17/30 FG
OUT OF THIS WORLD pic.twitter.com/1CEptrll5c
"I GOT YOU" - MAXEY 🤝 EMBIID
— NBA (@NBA) May 1, 2024
SIXERS FORCE GAME 6 💪 pic.twitter.com/5AP5Bsrm3w
Joel Embiid--who was struggling with a headache and even missed shootout--still delivered a triple-double of 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists.
The reigning MVP was vital in the Sixers' 9-0 run during overtime--getting the ball from Jalen Brunson, making the and-1, as well as denying the Knicks star another shot.
But his struggle was obvious as he committed nine turnovers.
His flagrant foul though allowed Brunson to get one of two free throws. His three-pointer tied the game again at 106-106 with just over a minute left. The Knicks star had 40 points overall.
Kelly Oubre Jr. provided the dagger with the go-ahead basket with just over a minute remaining, followed by clutch free throws from Tobias Harris to seal the win. Harris finished with 19 points, while Oubre chipped in with 14.
This comeback victory evens the series at 2-2, highlighting the razor-thin margin between these Atlantic Division rivals. It's the second time in the series both teams have clawed their way back from the brink of defeat, with the Knicks pulling off a similar feat in Game 2.
The series now shifts back to Philadelphia for a pivotal Game 6 on Friday.
