On a memorable evening just hours after being named an All-Star for the first time, Tyrese Maxey dominated with a career-high 51 points, propelling the Philadelphia 76ers to a 127-124 win against the Utah Jazz, despite Joel Embiid’s absence during Thursday’s NBA action.
Maxey, returning after a three-game hiatus due to a sprained left ankle, surpassed his previous high of 50 points on November 12 against Indiana by sinking two free throws in the closing seconds.
Feeling blessed and emphasizing the victory’s importance, Maxey highlighted his joy, stating the day’s success was accentuated by the team’s win, especially after a challenging road trip that saw the 76ers lose four games.
“Blessed!” Maxey said. “It’s been a wonderful day. I keep saying I’m just happy we got to win. It wouldn’t have mattered if we lost as we would have been sitting there sad on this long flight to Philly.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, Lauri Markkanen Updates
Joel Embiid, sidelined due to a lateral meniscus injury in his left knee discovered by an MRI, is expected to miss more games, adding to the challenge faced by the 76ers, who concluded their season’s longest trip with a 1-4 record.
“We needed this emotionally after Big Fella went down and the four games we lost on this trip,” Maxey said.
Maxey’s stellar performance included shooting 17 of 27 from the field, 7 of 9 from beyond the arc, and making 10 of 11 free throws, marking him as the first 76er to achieve such a diverse scoring feat.
“I just wanted to be aggressive. I was like, ‘Man, if I’m going to be out here, I got to go all out for my teammates,’” said Maxey, who admitted he had no idea he play 41 minutes on his first game back.
Tobias Harris contributed 28 points, and Kelly Oubre Jr. added 16, playing pivotal roles in the team’s emotional uplift after Embiid’s injury news.
“He got us going early on and created energy for us, making big shot after big shot,” Harris said of Maxey.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, Lauri Markkanen Updates
On the opposing side, Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 28 points, with Collin Sexton adding 22, as Utah faced its third consecutive defeat.
Markkanen and Sexton’s late 3-pointers highlighted the Jazz’s efforts to rally, but the 76ers, driven by Maxey’s energy and scoring prowess, maintained their lead and clinched the win.
“We got to pay attention to all the little details,” Markkanen said. “There’s little things in the game we can get better at and we’re going to learn from them.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, Lauri Markkanen Updates
Philadelphia’s strategy capitalized on Utah’s turnovers, translating them into 27 fast-break points. Maxey’s dynamic play covered the court, and the team adapted defensively to counter the Jazz’s rally attempts.
“We got to up our awareness to what’s going on in the game because I think that we’re fighting hard physically and, at times, we just seem a little bit mentally unavailable,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said.
The game, marked by strategic timeouts for player rest and a display of resilience and teamwork by the 76ers, sets the stage for their next game against the Brooklyn Nets while the Jazz look to bounce back against the Milwaukee Bucks.
