Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey expressed gratitude after joining an esteemed group with his remarkable 52-point performance against the San Antonio Spurs in Sunday’s 133-126 overtime victory.
Maxey’s explosive display marked his third 50-point game of the season, propelling the Sixers to their fifth consecutive win and enhancing their chances of avoiding the Play-In Tournament.
By achieving this milestone, Maxey became only the fourth player in franchise history to score 50 or more points three times in a single season, joining the ranks of Joel Embiid, Allen Iverson, and Wilt Chamberlain. Chamberlain notably accomplished this feat in an NBA-record 45 games during the 1961-62 season.
Reflecting on the significance of this achievement, Maxey humbly remarked, “For my little self to be mentioned with those guys, hey, I’m happy, I’m blessed. I didn’t want to let us lose. I just wanted to do whatever I could, exert all my energy. I could live with the result after that. No matter how tired, no matter how sore, I just wanted to go out there and try to help us win.”
Maxey’s stellar performance was instrumental in compensating for the absence of Joel Embiid, who was rested after a series of games following his return from knee surgery earlier in the season.
Having previously recorded 50-point outings against the Indiana Pacers in November and the Utah Jazz in February, Maxey’s consistency in scoring prowess has been a crucial asset for the Sixers. With Embiid also tallying three 50-point games this season, Philadelphia made NBA history as the first team to have multiple players achieve this milestone three times in a single campaign.
Philadelphia forward Nicolas Batum lauded Maxey’s contributions, stating, “We needed that tonight. Tyrese has been amazing for us all year long. He didn’t give up. He led the way for us. He kept fighting for us.”
Maxey’s clutch performance saw Philadelphia outscore San Antonio 30-20 in the final nine minutes of regulation, with his decisive layup tying the game at 111 and forcing overtime. The Sixers ultimately emerged victorious after a second additional period.
Despite Maxey’s heroics, Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama delivered an impressive performance with 33 points, 18 rebounds, and six assists, including a career-high five 3-pointers. Batum acknowledged Wembanyama’s potential, emphasizing his talent and the challenges he poses for opposing teams as he gains more experience.
“He’s special,” Batum remarked of Wembanyama. “It was a good call from [Spurs coach Gregg] Popovich when he said this may be his worst season.”