On the backend of a two-game road trip, the Philadelphia 76ers came into Indiana in desperate need of a win against the Pacers. The Sixers had gone winless on the young season, losing to the Bucks at home and the Raptors on the road.
The Sixers certainly struggled as a team, but no player better exemplified those struggles personally than Tyrese Maxey. Coming into Sunday’s game, Maxey had not shot anywhere close to what he has made his normal. Shooting 29.6% from the field and 19% from three, Maxey struggled to find any sort of rhythm, and that continued early in this game.
Maxey began the game shooting just 15 percent from the field until midway through the third quarter with an uncharacteristic four turnovers. A bucket from four feet out began to turn the tide for Maxey, who would score nine points in the third from that moment on.
In a game that Philadelphia was only hanging around in because of the team’s commitment to playing with energy and pace, the stunning revival of Tyrese Maxey was the catalyst for the Sixers in this one.
Maxey would go on to score an additional 14 points in the fourth quarter and helped put Philadelphia in a position to control the game late with the help of some timely defensive plays by Eric Gordon, who blocked Tyrese Haliburton, and Andre Drummond, who executed two impressive steals down the stretch.
For a moment, it seemed it was enough to seal the game for Philadelphia, but a shocking desperation three by Tyrese Haliburton would extend the game to overtime. Once there, Tyrese Maxey would continue his second-half renaissance, scoring an additional 10 points and hitting the free throws necessary down the line to ensure Philadelphia’s first win of the season.
Up next for the Sixers
The Sixers will now enjoy a nice break until Wednesday night when they return home to face the Detroit Pistons in the homecoming of Tobias Harris and Paul Reed.
Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m., and you can catch the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia or listen live as always at 97.5 FM The Fanatic.
Philadelphia will not practice until Tuesday, which is the expected date of the next update on Joel Embiid and Paul George. Both players could potentially join the Sixers for Wednesday’s game.
