Post by : Maya Rahman

In a thrilling overtime showdown, the Philadelphia 76ers triumphed over the Milwaukee Bucks with a score of 123-114 on Thursday night, primarily driven by Tyrese Maxey's career-high of 54 points. The absence of key players like Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t hinder the excitement as both teams battled fiercely until the final whistle.

The pivotal play occurred at the onset of overtime when Justin Edwards sank his only three-pointer of the extra period just 40 seconds in, giving the 76ers a lead they would not relinquish. Edwards had been impactful with multiple threes during regulation, yet this shot was crucial in seizing control at a critical moment.

Another significant moment came in the final minute of overtime. Following a missed free throw by the 76ers, Edwards secured a vital offensive rebound, allowing Quentin Grimes to hit both shots from the line, which enhanced Philadelphia’s lead. Grimes capped off his performance with a key three-pointer with 1:23 left, keeping the Bucks at bay.

Maxey’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary as he dropped 54 points, surpassing his previous career-best of 52. He was efficient throughout, shooting 18 for 30, including six three-pointers. In the closing stages, his clutch free throw shooting secured the victory, complemented by nine assists, five rebounds, three steals, and three blocks.

The game was marked by dramatic shifts. In the fourth quarter, the Bucks briefly took an 83-77 lead thanks to a jumper from Bobby Portis. The 76ers responded with a scoring spree of 10 points in 12 attempts to take the lead. The last nine minutes of regulation saw a flurry of lead changes.

After Myles Turner’s three-pointer gave Milwaukee a slim lead with just over eight seconds remaining, Maxey drove to the basket, drew a foul, and coolly tied the game with two free throws, forcing overtime. The Bucks had a final shot to win in regulation, but Ryan Rollins couldn’t convert before the buzzer.

Ryan Rollins shone for the Bucks, tallying 32 points along with 14 assists and six rebounds, marking him as Milwaukee's leading scorer. Myles Turner contributed a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Bobby Portis added 19 points. Despite their efforts, the Bucks faced their third straight defeat.

For the 76ers, Paul George scored 21 points in just his second game of the season, while Quentin Grimes impacted the game off the bench with 14 points, and VJ Edgecombe registered a double-double with 12 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.

With this victory, the 76ers improved their overtime record to 2-0 this season. Displaying remarkable teamwork and sharp shooting, Philadelphia managed to secure a significant win on the road, highlighted by Maxey’s stellar night and crucial contributions from both Edwards and Grimes.

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