Tyrese Maxey Helps Philadelphia 76ers Hold Off Golden State Warriors In a Thriller
It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t efficient, and for long stretches, it looked like nobody actually wanted to win. But on a night where the Philadelphia 76ers dusted off their 2001 throwback threads, they channeled just enough of that Iverson-era grit to scrape by the Golden State Warriors, 99-98.
If you were looking for offensive fireworks, you came to the wrong place. But if you enjoy glorious chaos, rookie buzzer-beaters, and the kind of suspense that makes you sweat through your jersey? Well, welcome to South Philly.
Tyrese Maxey Puts the 76ers On His Back
Let’s be real: without Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers aren’t winning this game. With Joel Embiid still knocking off the rust, Maxey decided to turn the Wells Fargo Center into his personal playground.
He dropped 35 points, and frankly, it felt like more. Every time the Warriors, who were missing Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, threatened to make a run, Maxey had an answer. He was attacking the rim, weaving through traffic like he was late for a flight, and reminding everyone why he’s the engine of this offense. The Warriors threw everything at him, including former Sixer De’Anthony Melton, but Maxey just laughed it off and got buckets.
VJ Edgecombe: The Rookie Calls Game
You can’t script this stuff better. VJ Edgecombe, the rookie who had a solid but bumpy night (a few turnovers that made you scratch your head), ended up being the hero for the 76ers.
With 8.2 seconds left, the 76ers needed a miracle. Maxey missed, but there was Edgecombe, crashing the glass like his career depended on it. He snagged the offensive board and put it back with less than a second remaining to seal the win. It wasn’t just the bucket, though; he sprinted back on defense to make sure Melton’s last-gasp layup didn’t ruin the party. That is how you earn your stripes.
Embiid and the Supporting Cast
Embiid is back, mostly. He played limited minutes and settled for jumpers a bit too often, but his presence alone changes the geometry of the court. He chipped in 12 points, but his real value was just being a massive object in the paint that Golden State had to navigate around.
Meanwhile, shoutout to Dominick Barlow. The stat sheet says 6 points and 14 rebounds, but the eye test says he was everywhere. The energy was infectious. He was cutting, blocking shots, and generally being a nuisance for the Warriors. He’s the kind of glue guy every contender needs.
A Weird Night For the Warriors
You have to feel for Golden State a little bit. No Curry, no Butler, and Draymond Green left early with a foot injury. They were basically playing with one hand tied behind their back. They missed 14 straight shots in the first quarter.
Yet, they almost stole it. Buddy Hield and Pat Spencer (16 points) dragged them back into it, erasing a 24-point deficit. But “almost” doesn’t count in the standings. They fall under .500, and with the injuries piling up, Steve Kerr has some serious puzzles to solve.
The Bottom Line
The 76ers didn’t play a perfect game. They blew a huge lead and let a depleted Warriors team hang around way too long. But in the NBA, a win is a win, especially when you’re wearing the 2001 blacks. They got the stops when they needed them, Maxey was a superstar, and a rookie grew up right before our eyes.
