Maxey magic fires Sixers past Knicks

NEW YORK CITY: Tyrese Maxey produced a 46-point gem as the Philadelphia 76ers stunned the New York Knicks, 112-106, in overtime to keep their NBA Eastern Conference playoff hopes alive on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

Maxey led the Sixers back from the brink of defeat in the fourth quarter with a late burst of scoring before dominating in overtime to ensure a Game 6 back in Philadelphia.

Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers heads for the net as Josh Hart of the New York Knicks defends during the first half at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in New York City. AFP PHOTO

The Knicks, leading the best-of-seven series 3-1 heading into Tuesday’s game, had looked poised to clinch after Jalen Brunson helped the second seeds take a six-point lead with 29 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

But Maxey drained a three-pointer from 24 feet and then hit a stunning 34-footer from the logo with nine seconds left to send a pulsating duel into overtime.

It looked as if the Knicks had reclaimed the initiative after Brunson scored five points to give New York a five-point lead before a raucous Madison Square Garden.

Yet Maxey and NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid had other ideas, launching a 9-0 run to give the Sixers a 106-102 advantage. New York pegged it back to 106-106, but the Sixers regrouped and pulled clear again to seal victory.

Maxey’s 46-point haul included seven three-pointers while Embiid posted a triple-double of 19 points, 16 rebounds and 10 rebounds.

Tobias Harris added 19 points for the Sixers while Kelly Oubre Jr. finished with 14.

Game 6 is in Philadelphia on Thursday.

In other games, the injury-hit Milwaukee Bucks stayed afloat by beating the Indiana Pacers, winning 115-92 to extend their series to Game 6.