What People Are Saying About 76ers’ Stunning Win Over Knicks
The game was over. Or, so many thought. What they didn’t know was that a stunning win was on the way. The Philadelphia 76ers were trailing the New York Knicks by six points, 96-90, with 28 seconds to go in the game. It looked like the Knicks would win the series and the season would be over for the 76ers. But, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid weren’t ready to say farewell to the season.
What People Are Saying About 76ers’ Stunning Win Over Knicks
Let’s pick up at that 28 second mark. Maxey scored an and-1 3-pointer, shrinking the New York Nicks’ lead to 96-94. Suddenly, out of seemingly nowhere, it was a two-point game. In overtime, the Knicks started out with a 102-97 lead thanks to Jalen Brunson. But, it wasn’t over. The 76ers fought back and quickly worked their way up to a 106-102 lead. Then, Brunson converted a flagrant foul on Joel Embiid into a four-point possession, and the game was tied up again, 106-106. From there, the 76ers scored four points and led 110-106 with 15.1 seconds left. Then, Maxey made two made free throws with five seconds left in the game, and the 76ers closed it out 112-106.
What a stunning win. I was watching the game and rooting for the 76ers but felt pretty deflated towards the end. I remember looking down for a few seconds, looking up again and seeing the game tied. I was like, what’s going on? Going into overtime, I felt the 76ers would pull it off, because they had everything to lose if they went down for this game. This was their last chance to stay in the playoffs, so, in my opinion, they would be more motivated than the Knicks to pull off the win. And, win, they did.
After the game, Shaquille O’Neal and the NBA hosts on TNT talked about Maxey’s incredible run and the stunning win. Shaq had some special words for him. “Maxey, let me tell you something. Brother, I’ve seen a lot of games. You played a hell of a game,” O’Neal said, “I’m so proud of you. Embiid didn’t have the best game and Maxey just took over the game. Kudos to you Mr. Maxey. You played a hell of a game, brother.” ESPN’s Bobby Marks said he thinks Maxey is the face of the Philadelphia 76ers. “I think he’s the face of the franchise,” he said. “I don’t think it’s Joel Embiid. I think Maxey is more reliable.” Dan Devine of Yahoo! Sports said of the stunning win, “Tyrese Maxey could feel the nightmares if the 76ers’ season ended this way — with him missing free throws and turning the ball over. So he did the only thing you can do to end a nightmare: He woke up.”
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