PHILADELPHIA — In an exciting showdown on Monday night, Tyrese Maxey was the star for the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring an impressive 32 points and making two pivotal plays in the final minute to secure a 111-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, who were led by the rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama.
The game took a dramatic turn when Joel Embiid was ejected with just under three minutes remaining in the second quarter. Referee Jenna Schroeder issued the first technical foul against the seven-time All-Star for arguing, and shortly after, she handed him a second technical foul, resulting in an ejection. While Embiid was near the official, replays did not definitively show any contact between them.
Wembanyama had a standout performance for San Antonio, contributing 26 points, nine rebounds, and an impressive eight blocks. Maxey also had a notable all-around game, tallying 10 rebounds and eight assists, while Paul George added 19 points to the 76ers’ total.
The nail-biting game saw the Spurs briefly take the lead at 103-102 following a baseline jumper from Chris Paul with 1:20 left on the clock. However, Maxey seized control, first by stealing the ball and then executing a stunning left-handed dunk. After drawing a foul from Julian Champagnie, he completed a three-point play to push Philadelphia ahead 104-103 with 59 seconds remaining.
Shortly after that, Maxey buried a crucial 3-pointer from the top of the key with just 29 seconds left in the game, further solidifying the 76ers’ lead.
In terms of takeaways, the 76ers’ coach was eager to see how the team’s Big Three would perform together, although he will have to wait longer before witnessing all of them in action simultaneously. For the Spurs, Wembanyama certainly provided excitement for the fans as he went 9-for-19 shooting, including 6-for-13 from beyond the arc.
A noteworthy moment occurred early in the fourth quarter when Andre Drummond was initially ejected for an alleged foul on Wembanyama. After a video review, however, the officials overturned the ejection, allowing Drummond to continue in the game.
When considering team statistics, it’s important to note that the combination of Embiid, George, and Maxey has played together in five games, resulting in a record of 3-2 for the 76ers.
Looking ahead, both teams are set to play on Christmas Day, with the Spurs heading to New York to face the Knicks, while the 76ers will be on the road against the Boston Celtics.
