In a high-stakes showdown, Tyrese Maxey delivered a career-best performance, scoring a remarkable 46 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a thrilling 112-106 overtime win over the New York Knicks in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.
The victory keeps the 76ers alive in the Eastern Conference series, with Game 6 set to take place Thursday in Philadelphia. If Philadelphia can maintain their momentum, a decisive Game 7 will be held in New York on Saturday.
Jalen Brunson led the charge for the Knicks with an impressive 40-point outing, but it was Maxey’s heroics that stole the spotlight.
The Knicks appeared poised to clinch the series, holding a six-point lead with just 28.9 seconds remaining in regulation. However, Maxey refused to let his team go down without a fight. With clutch play after clutch play, he single-handedly orchestrated a stunning comeback.
Maxey’s four-point play followed by a jaw-dropping 35-foot three-pointer in the closing seconds of regulation forced the game into overtime, shifting the momentum in favor of the 76ers.
Throughout the contest, Maxey displayed incredible efficiency, converting 17 of his 30 field goal attempts and knocking down seven three-pointers. His performance was all the more impressive considering the absence of a fully fit Joel Embiid, who battled through the game despite dealing with a migraine.
Despite Embiid’s limitations, he still managed to contribute significantly, tallying 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists.
In the Bucks’ 115-92 victory over the Pacers, Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis led the charge with 29 points each. Despite missing key players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard due to injury, Milwaukee dominated the game, outscoring Indiana by a considerable margin in the middle quarters.
The Cavaliers also secured a narrow 104-103 win over the Magic, thanks in part to Evan Mobley’s game-saving block on Franz Wagner’s layup attempt in the final seconds. Donovan Mitchell led the scoring for Cleveland with 28 points, while Darius Garland chipped in with 23 points, including 17 in the first quarter.
Orlando’s Paolo Banchero put up an impressive 39 points and eight rebounds in a losing effort, bouncing back from a subpar performance in Game 4.
As the playoff action intensifies, Maxey’s standout performance serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and drama that make postseason basketball truly exhilarating.