The Philadelphia 76ers closed out the first two games on the road with back-to-back losses to the New York Knicks in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
After Philadelphia ruled out center Joel Embiid for Game 2 due to hip and ankle injuries, the 76ers already had their backs against the wall without one piece of superstar talent. Heading into the fourth quarter, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and Kelly Oubre Jr. helped lead the lower-seeded 76ers into a one-point lead.
Ultimately, the New York Knicks pulled away from the 76ers in the final 12 minutes after a rocky fourth quarter for both teams. 108-102 was the final score.
Tyrese Maxey Explains What Went Wrong for the 76ers in Game 2
Without Joel Embiid, 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey was in line to carry a larger workload in Game 2. He did just that for Philadelphia, leading the team in points (26) and assists (6). However, the six turnovers Maxey committed could have been the determining factor in the contest. He also struggled to shoot from the field, finishing 9-for-23 in the contest.
Maxey spoke with the press after the loss, blaming poor execution in the final quarter for the game’s outcome.
“We had a hell of a defensive effort tonight. Defensively, we did enough to win the game,” Maxey said. “Offensively, a little drought kind of hurt us in the fourth quarter.”
The 76ers star point guard also mentioned how Philadelphia needs to be prepared for a gritty series against the Knicks.
“However long this series is, I feel like every single game is gonna be like it was tonight. It’s going to be extremely physical, extremely competitive, and it’s going to come down to who makes plays at the end of the game.”
Maxey was playing with a slight setback after suffering a jammed finger in the second quarter of the loss.
“I kind of jammed my finger in the second quarter, so I didn’t feel confident dribbling around a lot of the traps, splitting them like I normally do,” Maxey added. “So I was just trying to get off the ball and try to create actions.”
Paul George Breaks Down the 76ers’ Fourth Quarter Struggles
Following the Game 2 loss, forward Paul George also spoke with the press. George was a factor at all levels of the game, finishing with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists while adding 2 blocks and 2 steals.
Still, New York held Paul George to shooting 7-for-18 from the field. Five of George’s field goal makes were from three.
“I thought we just might’ve run out of gas a little bit in the fourth,” George explained. “We could’ve did a better job of getting some easier ones, but I think we did just run out of gas a little bit in the fourth.
The 76ers, already without one piece of the star duo in Joel Embiid, had to carry a larger workload in Game 2. Paul George played 43 minutes, while Tyrese Maxey played in all but 1:12 in the game.
The 76ers will look forward to taking the series to Philadelphia for Games 3 and 4.
Game 3 between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks will take place on Friday, May 8. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.
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