SI

Tyrese Maxey Has NBA World Buzzing After Herculean Effort vs. Knicks to Save 76ers

Philadelphia's season looked like it was over. Until it wasn't.

Tom Dierberger

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey reacts after knocking down a three-pointer in Game 5 against the New York Knicks.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey reacts after knocking down a three-pointer in Game 5 against the New York Knicks. / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers were staring down what felt like the closing seconds of their 2023–24 season.

Trailing the New York Knicks 3–1 in their first-round playoff series and 96–90 in Game 5, 76ers coach Nick Nurse called a timeout with 28.2 seconds left. Maxey took the reins from there.

Coming out of the timeout, Maxey was fouled by Mitchell Robinson as he drilled a three-pointer. He knocked down the free throw to complete the four-point play.

After Josh Hart missed one of two free-throw attempts at the other end, Maxey splashed a three-pointer from 34 feet, launching from the "E" in New York's logo at center court.

Tie game.

Maxey himself outscored the Knicks 7–1 in the final 28 seconds to send it to overtime, where the 76ers edged New York 15–9 to win 112–106 and force Game 6 on Thursday at Wells Fargo Center.

The 76ers' season lives on.

Maxey's Herculean effort in crunch time had the entire sports world buzzing, from Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and everyone in between.

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Tom Dierberger
TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.

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