The Philadelphia 76ers’ season on Tuesday was 28.2 seconds from being over. That’s when Sixers All-Star Tyrese Maxey saved his squad with a heroic closeout performance.
The Knicks led the 76ers 96-90 with under 30 seconds left in front of a capacity crowd at Madison Square Garden in New York City, N.Y. The home team appeared moments away from securing a 4-1 series win and advancing to the second round.
Maxey spoiled the party for Knicks fans. The 76ers guard completed a four-point play on the ensuing possession to cut the lead to two.
https://twitter.com/d9Hoops/status/1785482492964753856
Then after Knicks forward Josh Hart split a pair of free throws, Maxey drained a three-pointer from the logo to tie the game at 97 and force overtime.
MAXEY FOR THREE
WE'RE GOING TO OVERTIME pic.twitter.com/lVxDfxQ8ZP
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 1, 2024
Maxey’s reaction to his clutch shot said it all. Maxey, who’s usually shy and reserved, let all his emotions out after saving the 76ers’ season.
LFG
-Tyrese Maxey pic.twitter.com/uEIhza0tIE
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 1, 2024
Maxey’s shot propelled the Sixers into completing the comeback. The road team won 112-106 in overtime to force a Game 6 on their own home floor.
Maxey fittingly shot the last two free throws to ice the game. He also had a message for a hobbled Joel Embiid after the contest.
“Listen, we’ve got two more. … I got you. I got you. Let’s go,” Maxey told his 76ers teammate.
Maxey: “Hey Joel, we just need two more!”
Embiid: *with his life flashing before his eyes and his ligaments being held together by paper clips and frozen cheese whiz*
“yeah I gotchu” pic.twitter.com/yazNxCvguY
— Philly Sports Sufferer (@mccrystal_alex) May 1, 2024
Maxey finished with a game-high 46 points on 17/30 shooting from the field. Embiid, who Knicks fans loudly booed all evening, tallied a triple-double with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists.
