It was a modest four-game day around the NBA on Friday, and Tyrese Maxey was the undisputed star. So, let’s check out all the action, shall we?
Sixers Outlast Bucks in OT as Tyrese Maxey Nets Career High
Tyrese Maxey dropped a career-high 54 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers (9-6) to a 123-114 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks (8-8) at Fiserv Forum.
Maxey added 5 rebounds and 9 assists and shot 18-for-30 overall and 12-for-14 from the free throw line, including two clutch ones at the end of regulation to send the game to OT. Paul George, in only his second game this season, added 21 points, while rookie V.J. Edgecombe added 12 points and 10 boards.
Tyrese Maxey is now the sixth player in the league to score at least 50 this season.
Ryan Rollins fired 32 points to pace the Bucks, who were without Giannis Antetokounmpo once again. Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma chipped in 19 and 17, respectively, for Milwaukee, who just didn’t have an answer for Tyrese Maxey.
Spurs Clip Hawks Even Without Key Stars
No Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, no problem for the San Antonio Spurs (11-4), at least on Friday, as they pulled out a 135-126 victory over the Atlanta Hawks (9-7) at Frost Bank Center.
De’Aaron Fox and Keldon Johnson off the bench led the way for the Spurs, who were without Wembanyama, Castle, and rookie Dylan Harper. Fox had 26 points and 9 assists, while Johnson had 25 points and 7 rebounds. Jones Garcia, who is on a two-way contract, added 12 points, 5 boards, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block as he provided a spark off the San Antonio bench.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker paced the Hawks with a career-best 38 points, while Jalen Johnson put up 26 points, 12 boards, and 7 assists.
Magic Add to Clippers’ Misery with Rout
The Orlando Magic (9-7) used a balanced attack to notch a 129-101 dismantling of the Los Angeles Clippers (4-11) at Kia Center.
Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner fired 23 and 20, respectively, to lead the Magic, who won every quarter on their way to their fifth win in six games. Tristan da Silva chipped in 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Desmond Bane added 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Anthony Black (12 points) and Goga Bitadze (10 points) provided quality minutes off the bench.
James Harden scored 31 points on top of 5 rebounds and 8 assists to spearhead the Clippers, who now have lost nine of their last ten games as their downward spiral continues. Ivica Zubac added 14 points and 19 boards.
Grizzlies Rout Kings Without Ja Morant
Santi Aldama stepped up in a rare start to tow the Memphis Grizzlies (5-11) past the Sacramento Kings (3-13), 137-96, at FedEx Forum.
Aldama finished with 29 points on 11-for-18 shooting for the Grizzlies, who raced out to a 75-47 halftime lead en route to their fifth win this season. Rookie Cedric Coward continued his impressive first year with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Jock Londale was a jock, coming off the bench to contribute 21 markers and 6 caroms.
The Grizzlies won with Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. both out.
Zach LaVine dropped 26 points for the Kings, who have lost eight straight and nine of their last ten. Russell Westbrook added 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.
