Maxey's 54-Point Night Sends 76ers Past Bucks in OT

Maxey erupts for 54 as 76ers outlast Bucks in OT

Tyrese Maxey put on a scoring clinic, dropping 54 points in 47 minutes to lift the Philadelphia 76ers to a 123-114 overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The performance underscored his growing status as a late-season centerpiece, even as Philadelphia navigated without Joel Embiid, who sat out with an injury.

Maxey hit 18 of 30 from the floor, buried 6 of 15 from long range, and went 12 for 14 at the foul line. He also contributed 9 assists and 5 rebounds, serving as the indispensable engine for Philadelphia in a tight, marathon game that required extra minutes to decide the winner.

The final stretch of regulation belonged to Milwaukee. Miles Turner tallied 21 points for the winners, but the Bucks erased a late deficit and took a two-point lead, 106-104, with about 15 seconds remaining. Maxey answered with two clutch free throws to force overtime, where he delivered 6 more points to seal the victory and push Philadelphia into a hopeful position in the Eastern standings.

Milwaukee was paced by Ryan Rollins, who finished with 32 points and 14 assists, while Giannis Antetokounmpo chipped in a noteworthy all-around effort. The Bucks also watched notable losses from their star roster, with Embiid sidelined for Philadelphia and other contributors adjusting to the absence of ongoing star talent.

Spurs extend win streak without Wembanyama

In San Antonio, the Spurs kept their rhythm with a 135-126 win over the Atlanta Hawks in a game that showcased depth and resilience without Victor Wembanyama. De’arian Fox led with 26 points and 9 assists, while Keldon Johnson poured in 25 points and handed out 7 assists, fueling the success as the Spurs moved to 11-4 on the season and extended their streak even in the absence of their rookie phenom.

Head coach’s squad leaned on the backcourt duo and a sturdy bench, with Johnson delivering big scores in the closing stretch. Coach and players emphasized a team-first approach, a formula that kept Atlanta at bay despite solid performances from Trae Young and others. Johnson’s late-game precision helped turn a competitive matchup into a convincing finish.

Orlando Magic plus Clippers, and Grizzlies over Kings

At Orlando, the Magic dispatched the Los Angeles Clippers 129-101 as Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner led the scoring charge, while Paulo Banchero was sidelined by a groin issue. Orlando dominated defensively and built a comfortable lead that the Clippers could not overcome, despite James Harden’s 31 points and a handful of timely plays from the visitors.

Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies ran away from the Sacramento Kings with a 137-96 blowout. Santi Aldama led with 29 points, and Jock Landale added 21 off the bench as Memphis asserted dominance. The Kings were hampered by Domas Sabonis’ knee injury, sidelining him for several weeks and leaving a void in the frontline that Memphis exploited with ease.

Thursday’s action highlighted the league’s balance between individual brilliance and team cohesion. Maxey’s historic night, Spurs’ continued surge, and the big-margin wins across the board underscored the ongoing drama of the season. Even in defeat, role players and emerging stars showed how deep the field remains this year.

Punchline time: If the rim had its own agent, Maxey would be negotiating a max contract for the free throws alone. Another thought: basketball is basically a sport where your calculator is your coach—because the higher the score, the better the punchlines land after the final buzzer.