PHILADELPHIA — In a notable matchup, Tyrese Maxey showcased his scoring prowess, pouring in 43 points to propel the Philadelphia 76ers to a 118-104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. With key players Joel Embiid and Paul George sidelined due to injuries, Maxey’s performance was crucial for the Sixers as they continue to contend for a play-in tournament spot. Over the past ten games, the second-year guard had been averaging an impressive 30.4 points, and he surpassed that in the third quarter, reaching 41 points before the final period began.
Maxey demonstrated his shooting skills by connecting on four three-pointers and converting 15 of 26 attempts from the field. His stellar performance marked the continuation of a personal best, as he extended his streak of scoring at least 25 points in a game to 11, to the delight of some players from the NFC champion Eagles who were present at the game.
On the Lakers’ side, LeBron James contributed significantly with 31 points. However, the team faced a setback when Anthony Davis was forced to exit the game early due to an abdominal strain, disrupting the Lakers’ rhythm. Davis had scored four points in the first half before his injury, which leaves a gap in the team, especially since he had been averaging 26.3 points and 12.1 rebounds in his previous 41 outings this season.
Notable moments from the game included Bronny James receiving some playing time but not putting any points on the board. Meanwhile, LeBron James celebrated his own milestone as he climbed to sixth place on the all-time steals list in the NBA.
A standout statistic from the game highlighted that Maxey and teammate Guerschon Yabusele accounted for all of the 76ers’ points in the first quarter, shooting an impressive 10 for 16, while the rest of the team struggled, missing five shots.
Looking ahead, the Lakers will aim to bounce back on Thursday when they travel to Washington, while the 76ers will host the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday as they glance toward building on this positive start to their homestand.
