Maxey’s Masterpiece: 54-Point Explosion Lifts Short-Handed 76ers Over Bucks in OT Thriller

No Joel Embiid for the 76ers. No Giannis Antetokounmpo for the Bucks. A marquee matchup stripped of its former MVPs often results in a sluggish, forgettable affair—a mid-November game destined to be lost in the wash of an 82-game season.

Tyrese Maxey had other plans.

In a performance that will be replayed on highlight reels for years to come, the 76ers guard didn’t just step up; he ascended. Maxey poured in a career-high 54 points, dragging Philadelphia across the finish line for a gritty 123-114 overtime victory against the Milwaukee Bucks. It was a display of sheer stamina and will, clocking over 46 minutes on the floor just one night after playing 39 minutes in a loss to Toronto.

Tyrese Maxey’s Historic Night Sparking the 76ers

For Philadelphia, this season has been a test of patience as they manage Embiid’s knee issues. They needed a stabilizing force, but what they got on Thursday was a supernova. Maxey’s stat line reads like a video game: 54 points, 9 assists, and the kind of relentless energy that demoralizes a defense.

His previous career-high of 52 points, set against San Antonio back in April 2024, was impressive, but this felt different. This was a road game, against a desperate Milwaukee team, with his co-star, Paul George, still finding his legs after his own injury layoff. Maxey carried the offensive load on his back, slashing through the lane, hitting pull-up jumpers, and orchestrating the offense when the shot wasn’t there.

While George contributed a solid 21 points, it was clear from the opening tip who the engine of this 76ers offense was. Maxey’s ability to accelerate past defenders left the Bucks scrambling all night, forcing switches that Milwaukee simply couldn’t handle without their Greek Freak patrolling the paint.

The 76ers Survive a Late Bucks Rally

Despite Maxey’s heroics, the game nearly slipped away in regulation. The 76ers held a 94-87 lead midway through the fourth quarter, looking poised to close it out comfortably. But Milwaukee, fueled by an unexpected explosion from Ryan Rollins, refused to go quietly.

Rollins, who matched his own career-high with 32 points and dished out 14 assists, became the unlikeliest of adversaries for Maxey. The Bucks clawed back, eventually taking the lead on a Myles Turner 3-pointer with under 15 seconds remaining. The momentum had shifted entirely. The home crowd was deafening.

This is where seasons are defined—not in the blowouts, but in the chaotic, pressure-cooker moments on the road. Maxey drove hard into the teeth of the defense, drawing contact and earning a trip to the line. With the weight of the game on his shoulders, he calmly sank both free throws to tie it up. A missed buzzer-beater from Rollins sent the game to overtime, giving the 76ers a lifeline they wouldn’t waste.

Overtime Heroics Seal the Win for Philadelphia

If the 76ers were tired after a back-to-back, they didn’t show it in the extra period. Overtime began with a spark from an unlikely source: Justin Edwards. Edwards, who had only scored two points in regulation, buried a massive 3-pointer to open the scoring. Maxey followed up with a bucket of his own, and suddenly Philadelphia was up by five.

Milwaukee, perhaps deflated by the missed opportunity in regulation, couldn’t muster another run. While Rollins tried to keep the Bucks alive with a driving layup to cut the deficit to one, Quentin Grimes answered with a clutch 3-pointer twenty seconds later. From there, Philadelphia kept the Bucks at arm’s length, executing down the stretch to secure their ninth win of the season.

What This Win Means for the 76ers’ Season

This victory pushes the 76ers to a 9-6 record, but the psychological impact outweighs the standings. Winning without Embiid is crucial for this team’s identity. It proves they are not a one-man show. It proves that Tyrese Maxey is not just a Robin to Embiid’s Batman, but a legitimate superhero in his own right, capable of dismantling defenses single-handedly.

For Milwaukee, dropping to 8-8 is a tough pill to swallow, especially given the career night from Rollins and the solid production from Bobby Portis (19 points) and Kyle Kuzma (17 points). But for Philadelphia fans, the focus is on the resilience of their squad.

Paul George played 33 minutes, showing flashes of his old self, but he happily deferred to the hot hand. The 76ers now head home to host the Miami Heat on Sunday, likely exhausted but undoubtedly energized by one of the most memorable individual performances in recent franchise history.