Tyrese Maxey makes comeback as 76ers overcome Hornets
CHARLOTTE — Tyrese Maxey outmaneuvered Kon Knueppel for a rebound and raced down the court before executing a powerful one-handed dunk over Miles Bridges that reverberated throughout the Spectrum Center.
This was the dynamic playmaking the Philadelphia 76ers had been lacking for a significant portion of March. After missing the prior three weeks due to a right finger tendon strain, Maxey made his return, and the Sixers were complete once more on Saturday. With their core trio of Joel Embiid, Maxey, and Paul George on the floor together, Philadelphia ended Charlotte’s five-game home winning streak with a crucial 118-114 victory at the Spectrum Center.
Currently positioned seventh in the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia (41-33) secured the season series 2-1 and gained the tiebreaker over Charlotte with this win. The Hornets (39-35) now sit in 10th place in the East and have another significant home matchup against the Boston Celtics on Sunday.
This contest, which Charlotte led by 15 points midway through the third quarter, had a playoff atmosphere.
“I think both teams were aware,” George remarked regarding the significance in the standings. “We were [both] seven and eight in the seeding [entering the night].
“This is where we need to start pulling away. So it was definitely a priority tonight to secure the win.”
Maxey converted 10-of-18 attempts and concluded the game with 26 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds. His standout dunk occurred at the beginning of a closely contested fourth quarter, leveling the score at 97-97 with 10:03 remaining. Maxey contributed seven points, four rebounds, and three assists in the fourth as the Sixers received significant support on both ends of the court.
“I let the game come to me at the start,” stated Maxey, who netted 13 of his points in the second quarter. “Everyone was like, ‘Dude, all right. We know you just got back. Letβs go.’ And I was like, ‘I got you.’
George (26 points and 13 rebounds) secured five rebounds in the fourth and sank a 3-pointer with 1:04 left to elevate the Sixers to a 116-114 lead. Following a Maxey free throw that extended the lead to three points, Embiid delivered a crucial block on a Brandon Miller 3-pointer in front of the Sixers bench with 7.4 seconds to go.
After a timeout, the Hornets passed the ball to a curling LaMelo Ball, who pump-faked and got George to jump. George managed to recover and contest a corner 3 from Ball that missed, allowing Philadelphia to secure a vital victory.
Ball and Knueppel faced difficulties, combining to shoot 10-for-40 from the field, including just 8-for-18 from beyond the arc. Miller topped the Hornets with 29 points, Ball added 20 points and eight assists, while Knueppel recorded 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The last occasion the Sixers had Maxey, Embiid, and George on the court together was January 29 against Sacramento. George had been suspended for 25 games for breaching the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program; this marked his second game back from suspension. This was also Embiid’s second game back after missing 13 consecutive games due to a strained right oblique.
Kelly Oubre Jr. also returned from a left elbow strain against Charlotte.
“Feeling good,” said Embiid, who scored 29 points and grabbed six rebounds. “Just continuing to play basketball, obviously ramping up. I’m fine. Just need to keep playing and improve my fitness.
“… We need everyone we can get… We have to win every single game… Whether we end up five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten [seed], it doesnβt matter. We still need to win. I donβt care where we finish.”
