3 observations after incredible Maxey scores career-high 51, Sixers
3 observations after incredible Maxey scores career-high 51, Sixers edge out Jazz originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Tyrese Maxey was nobody’s idea of a second star Thursday night in Utah.
With Joel Embiid (left knee lateral meniscus injury) out and Maxey having learned of his first All-Star selection a few hours before tip-off, the 23-year-old guard delivered a career-high 51 points.
In a scintillating performance, Maxey shot 7 for 9 from three-point range, made 10 of his 11 free throws, and led the Sixers to a 127-124 victory over the Jazz.
The win snapped a four-game Sixers losing streak and improved the team to 30-17 on the season.
Tobias Harris added 28 points and seven assists. Utah’s Lauri Markkanen posted 28 points and 10 rebounds.
On top of Embiid, De’Anthony Melton (lumbar spine stress response), Nicolas Batum (left hamstring tightness), Marcus Morris Sr. (left foot plantar fasciitis) and Robert Covington (left knee bone bruise) all remained out.
The Sixers will meet the Nets on Saturday night in the first contest of a four-game homestand. Here are observations on Maxey’s incredible game and the Sixers’ win over Utah:
A refreshed, can’t-miss Maxey
Maxey returned following three games out with a left ankle sprain. He immediately looked extremely speedy and very difficult to guard.
About 30 seconds in, Maxey got an open three-point opportunity and nailed it. He scored the Sixers’ next seven points, too. Maxey danced into the paint and dropped in a floater, pump faked and steamed in for a lefty layup, and sunk each jump shot he took.
He was well within his rights to fire up a heat check.
Maxey and Harris posted every one of the Sixers’ first 26 points.
Perhaps the spell on the sidelines had a rejuvenating effect for Maxey, who’d played 42 of the Sixers’ first 43 games and averaged 37.5 minutes. His shooting percentages had dipped in the 15 games since Christmas (41.3 percent from the field, 32.2 percent from three) and fatigue was surely a…
