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Tyrese Maxey Makes Sixers History in Game 5 vs. Knicks

Tyrese Maxey joins Wilt Chamberlain in the Philadelphia 76ers' history books.

Justin Grasso

Apr 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) controls the ball
Apr 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) controls the ball / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Following a Game 4 loss on their home floor, the Philadelphia 76ers were staring down elimination in Game 5 Tuesday night. Thanks to an incredible performance from one of their stars, they managed to keep their postseason dreams alive.

The biggest storyline from Game 5 was the play of Tyrese Maxey. In the most important game of the year for the Sixers, the All-Star guard willed his team to victory. This performance included countless big plays, including a logo three in the final seconds to force overtime.

In total, Maxey logged 51 minutes in the Sixers’ 112-106 win over the New York Knicks. He ended the night with a stat line of 46 points, five rebounds, and nine assists on 56.7% shooting from the field and 58.3% shooting from beyond the arc.

With this performance, Maxey puts his name alongside an all-time great in Sixers history. He is one of two players to score at least 45 points in a potential elimination game. The other person to do so is Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain

Maxey has had a meteoric rise to stardom this year that resulted in an All-Star nomination and winning Most Improved Player. However, it’s his performance in the postseason that has many ready to label the young guard a star. So far in this series, Maxey is averaging 32.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 7.2 APG.

Following their Game 5 victory, the Sixers now return home to try and force a Game 7. Game 6 will be played on Thursday night, with tip-off scheduled for 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

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Justin Grasso

JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA