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.

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."

This weekend the NBA will take over Indianapolis for All-Star weekend. On Saturday night, the Slam Dunk contest will serve as the grand finale of the day two events at Lucas Oil Stadium. That got us thinking about NBA stars we'd love to see in Slam Dunk contest.

Before we crack into the list, let's take a look at the modern landscape of the NBA dunk contest. The biggest complaint about the event is that the biggest names in basketball rarely participate. Why is that? Well, last year at this time, Front Office Sports dove into this exact subject. "The last time a player from that season’s All-Star Game actually participated in the Dunk Contest was in 2017, when the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan competed," they said.

Front Office Sports went on to list a lack of creative options, scoring, and top players not participating in the dunk contest as reasons why the competition had declined. "I think they’re maybe afraid to lose,” NBA Hall of Famer, and slam dunk legend, Dominique Wilkins said via Front Office Sports. Of course, potential injury could also be considered.

Though there has been a lack of star power in the Slam Dunk contest, there have been a few shining moments as of late. Last season, there was much confusion as to why the NBA was allowing a G League (minor league) player to participate in Mac McClung. Now with the Orlando Magic franchise, McClung was called up by his then-team, the 76ers, a few days before the contest. He would go on to win and thrilling fashion. Furthermore, McClung is just six-foot-two.

The NBA Slam Dunk contest will often be associated with the likes of Wilkins and Michael Jordan. In the late '80s, these legends made our jaws drop dunking the ball during all-star weekend. Sure, we have had Vince Carter and the late great Kobe Bryant go in it and win it. However, you can't help but think about what might have been, if these stars had won. Some of them came close, while others opted out.

Nonetheless, we do have some surprising and well-received news when it comes to the 2024 contest. Jaylen Brown, one of the biggest stars in the game, is participating. He will compete against last year's winner in McClung. In addition, Jacob Toppin from the Knicks and Jamie Jaquez. Jr of the Heat are in. Perhaps with Brown participating, we will begin to see the trend of more all-stars opting into this fan-favorite event in the future.

Here are five players we'd love to see do their thing in the NBA Slam Dunk contest.

Now in his fourth season, you can't help but feel like we've been Zion-deprived. Injuries doomed Williamson's first three years. In fact, he's only played in 114 games. However, as we've seen so far this year, Williamson is explosive. An electrifying dunk contest performance can allow us to quickly forget about the start of his NBA career.

Speaking of high-flying ballers, Morant has a burst to his game that not many others (if any) have. Similar to Zion Williamson, the past year or two has been marred by outside distractions that have taken away from Morant's game. Here's to hoping his hoop game is back in focus. He can show us that been taking the next dunk contest by storm.

Edwards has quickly established himself as one of the best young players in the game. He's taking the Minnesota Timberwolves to levels that they have not been to since Kevin Garnett was in the building. It would be a great statement to enter the dunk contest at this stage of his career. To some degree, it would be similar timing to when Jordan and Wilkinson participated and won.

Now, this might be a stretch only because Brunson is probably more suited for the three-point or skills contest. The Knicks guard is now an all-star and one of the most dynamic players in the game this season. In addition, he's loved by the fans and the roaring support from the crowd always makes the dunk contest that much more of an entertaining experience. Finally, the Knicks could really use the spotlight.

King James may arguably be past the prime of his career when this opportunity would make sense. For years, fans wanted him in, and although it came close, James never jumped in. He certainly doesn't need to do it. It just feels like the one thing he has not accomplished in the league. Kobe Bryant competed in the dunk contest in 1997. And he won.