The Philadelphia 76ers had their backs up against the wall heading into Game 5 against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night in their first-round series of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Down 3-1 in the series, the 76ers were heading into hostile territory at Madison Square Garden looking to avoid elimination.
It certainly looked like they would be packing their bags to start the offseason as the Knicks led by six points with 28.2 seconds remaining in the game after Miles McBride knocked down a jumper. But, Tyrese Maxey was not ready to go home as he put the team on his back once again as he had the entire series.
Maxey knocked down a 25-foot 3-pointer and drew a foul on Mitchell Robinson for a momentum-changing four-point opportunity. After missing three free throws in a row, Maxey sunk this one to complete the four-point play.
Philadelphia was forced to foul to keep the game alive and sent Josh Hart to the line. He split his free throws, leaving the door ajar. Once again it was Maxey who came up with the big play, knocking down a 34-foot 3-pointer with 8.1 seconds remaining from the halfcourt logo to tie the game.
That forced the game into overtime, as two exhausted teams had to play five more minutes of basketball. The Knicks would land the first punch, jumping out to a five-point lead on two buckets by Jalen Brunson.
But, the 76ers were not to be denied. They climbed back into the game with timely buckets from Maxey and some excellent defense. Philadelphia’s defensive pressure made the normally composed Knicks crack, as Brunson had several mental mistakes and turnovers.
After going down five, the 76ers ripped off a 9-0 run to get the momentum back. They wouldn’t surrender the lead for the remainder of the game, escaping Madison Square Garden with an improbable 112-106 victory.
Maxey finished the game with 46 points, carrying a Philadelphia team that looked dead in the water in the waning seconds. He picked up all of the slack of Joel Embiid having an off game, as he shot 7-of-19 from the field, scoring 19 points with 16 rebounds, 10 assists and nine turnovers.
The 76ers have extended their season for at least one more game, forcing a Game 6 to be played back in Philadelphia on Thursday evening. With all of the momentum, they will be playing with house money as all of the pressure is on the Knicks to not blow a 3-1 series lead.
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