The Philadelphia 76ers faced a tough challenge against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night. The match intensified as it went into overtime, with Tyrese Maxey given a crucial chance to secure a victory. With 4.6 seconds remaining and the 76ers ahead 126-124, he stepped up to the free-throw line, where he had an impressive shooting percentage of 88.3% this season. However, he missed both shots.
In a dramatic turnaround, the Hawks equalized with 0.3 seconds left, thanks to Jalen Johnson, who sank two free throws after a foul by Dominick Barlow. This moment forced a second overtime, where the Hawks ultimately triumphed over the 76ers with a score of 142-134. Johnson had a standout performance, contributing 41 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists.
Tyrese Maxey Reflects on Missed Clutch Free Throws
After the game, a dejected Maxey shared his thoughts on the missed opportunity. “I thought I was gonna make them, and then we’ll figure it out for that,” he said. Despite his disappointment, he added a light-hearted remark referring to VJ Edgecombe, who had also missed crucial free throws in a previous game against Boston.
Turning Point in the Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter marked a critical turning point for the 76ers. Entering the final frame with a six-point lead, the team quickly found themselves in trouble. The Hawks launched a 13-0 run, taking control of the game and exploiting seven turnovers by the 76ers, which led to eight points for Atlanta.
Maxey acknowledged the effort of the Hawks, particularly praising Keaton Wallace, who made key shots during this stretch. “They turned us over,” he explained. “Keaton hit some big shots. They made some tough layups, but we kept fighting.” Despite the setback, Philadelphia managed to tie the game thanks to Maxey’s clutch three-pointer with 8.3 seconds left, pushing the game into overtime.
Coach’s Observations
Head Coach Nick Nurse recognized the team’s struggles in the fourth quarter. “We had a few good looks to start and didn’t make them,” he noted. “I think we had six turnovers in the fourth. It felt like the ball got really slippery for us.” However, he praised the team’s resilience as they fought to tie the game and forced the overtime.
Positive Signs Moving Forward
One notable positive for the 76ers was the return of Joel Embiid, who played for the first time since November 8. His presence is expected to be a significant factor as Philadelphia aims to improve their position in the Eastern Conference standings this season.
