Philadelphia’s season seemed destined to end at the Garden on Tuesday.
Then Tyrese Maxey turned his fortunes around with one of the best performances in playoff history.
First, his last-minute blitz and forced overtime on Logo 3. And his dominant night helped the Sixers avoid elimination with a 112-106 come-from-behind victory in Game 5 at a packed Garden.
“All I could think about was finding a way to survive,” Maxey said. “We had to [win]. Our season is at stake. ”
Maxey scored a game-high 46 points, including seven points in the final 26 seconds of a frenetic regulation period in which Joel Embiid struggled.
“Tyrese Maxey gave us the advantage,” Embiid said. “He was unbelievable. Big shot after big shot. Especially with everything going on. Tobias [Harris] It was great throughout the match. I think all my teammates. they did their job. Yeah. we achieved victory. ”
With Philadelphia down 96-90 with 25 seconds left, Maxey made an outrageous four-point play to pull within two.
Then, with 8.1 seconds left, the All-Star pulled up from 35 feet and made the game-winning 3-pointer.
“We had to get up the floor quickly and get the three-ball up. I think it was good that we didn’t mess around or keep trying to work for something. We had a little bit of a play call with some counters. But one of the options is for him to pull up,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said of the 35-footer. “And I know it was deep, but he competed up there and took the opportunity.”
Maxey added nine assists and five rebounds.
He went 17-of-30 from the floor and 7-of-12 from behind the arc. After making those 3-pointers late in regulation, he hit another 3-pointer to give the Sixers nine points in overtime.
Then it was over.
Thanks to Maxey, we get to Game 6.
The normally affable security guard appeared focused, motivated and almost angry Tuesday.
“Yeah, he’s always been like that,” Embiid said. “but [Tuesday] He just had to do it because he obviously knew what was needed based on the situation, where I couldn’t be myself. And he did it. That’s why he’s such a great basketball player. He’s great, but just his attitude.
“All of us. We always knew we had it. But it’s just one thing. We have to keep going. And…pray that we all get better.” But I don’t think we’ve played our best basketball yet, so even though I was terrible, I hope and I’m sure you can’t get any better. ”
