The Philadelphia 76ers were dominated by the New York Knicks in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series, and the nightmare night from Tyrese Maxey should have the Sixers panicking. The All-Star guard proved he is a superstar in the comeback over the Boston Celtics. That means his team needs more from him. He can’t have more turnovers than assists or miss twice as many field goals as he makes.
Maxey finished with 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists in 27 minutes of action in Game 1. He made just three of his nine field goal attempts, couldn’t sink a 3-pointer, and had four turnovers. The Sixers were outscored by 28 points with their star on the floor.
It was a nightmare game that came just two days after winning Game 7 in Boston. The schedule did Philly zero favors, but that can’t be an excuse. The 76ers will go as far as Maxey leads them. He didn’t do that in Game 1, and it should have fans in panic about the rest of this series.
76ers need Tyrese Maxey to be a superstar moving forward
Fans were questioning if Maxey can be the Sixers’ best player early in the Celtics series, but he had two efficient 30-point games to close things out. It quieted the noise for a moment. Sadly, it didn’t last long.
The Sixers won the four games against Boston, where the team won Maxey’s minutes. The Celtics had the edge with the 6’2 guard on the floor in the three games Philly lost. Overall, the two-time All-Star had an outstanding series, but Philly needs consistency to keep advancing.
Jalen Brunson had 35 points on 18 field goal attempts, and the Knicks won his minutes by 27 points. The best player on the floor usually wins in the playoffs. Brunson was that in Game 1 as Maxey looked like a struggling role player. Paul George was the best Sixer, not Tyrese, on Monday night.
History is against an undersized guard being the best player on a title team. Isiah Thomas is the only real example in the modern NBA. Maxey and Brunson hope to be the second. For the 76ers to get to the conference finals, their star must be significantly better in the rest of this series.
Fans should be worried. It was a disastrous game that felt finished in the second quarter, and rest isn’t coming. Game 2 is on Wednesday night. The Sixers might be gassed, but they aren’t getting any type of break. All Maxey can do is step up and lead his team. He did it against the Celtics and must repeat the feat versus New York.
Philadelphia 76ers fans know Tyrese Maxey is upset with his Game 1 performance. It was an awful night for the entire team. The Knicks ran the Sixers off the Madison Square Garden floor. Fans are worried about Maxey being the team’s best player again. All the two-time All-Star can do is prove it on the court, just like he did in the Celtics series. Hopefully, better days are ahead.
Add us as a preferred source on Google