In what would have been another disappointing loss to begin the 2024-2025 NBA season, Tyrese Maxey delivered one of his finest performances in his career to put the Philadelphia 76ers back in the league.
The Sixers went on the road to Indianapolis on October 27th to face the Indiana Pacers. They just came from two devastating losses and a slow start to their season, mainly because two of their biggest stars Joel Embiid and Paul George are out due to injuries. However, Maxey kept Philly alive by surviving Indiana in a nail-biting overtime, 118-114.
Tyrese Maxey vs. Tyrese Haliburton Duel
Tyrese Maxey and Tyrese Haliburton had an intense duel, but it’s obvious that the former came out on top.
Maxey finished with 45 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks to bring home the win, leading the Sixers to a 1-2 record in the East. Although the 23-year-old All-star wasn’t exactly shooting efficiently (14-for-32 from the field and 2-for-11 from three), he was a one-man show, especially in the second half where he scored 38 of his 45 points.
Caleb Martin also helped with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Haliburton and the Pacers kept the game tight but eventually fell in overtime. The 2-time NBA All-Star put up 22 points, 2 assists, and 4 rebounds. All the other Indiana starters also finished with double digits: Siakam (17), Turner (14), Nesmith (10), and Nembhard (10).
But, When Is Joel Embiid Returning?
The Sixers’ front office is still completely unsure when they’re going to field the 2023 MVP. Due to a lingering knee injury, Embiid missed the preseason as well as the first 3 games of the 2024-2025 season.
According to reports, Embiid may play on October 30 against the Detroit Pistons, but that is still left to be seen.
