Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Tyrese Maxey compared to former Knicks-killer after Game 5 heroics

By Sai Mohan | Last updated May 1, 2024 7:49 AM ET

Sixers star Tyrese Maxey scored seven points in 17 seconds (final 28.2 seconds of regulation) to force overtime against the Knicks on Tuesday. Then, he dropped another five points in the extra period to seal Philadelphia's miraculous 112-106 win.

Maxey's heroics have drawn comparisons with New York's No. 1 public enemy, Reggie Miller, who scored eight points in 8.9 seconds during Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals. Miller's incredible performance led the Pacers to a 107-105 win that fateful May evening 19 years ago.

Reggie Miller Tyrese Maxey

Knicks choking at MSG pic.twitter.com/ojek1iakla
— Hard Rock Bet (@HardRockBet) May 1, 2024

"Tyrese Maxey might have become the new Reggie Miller for Knicks fans tonight. Unbelievable performance," ESPN's Tim Bontemps said in his postgame report from Madison Square Garden.

Although Maxey's rapid-fire flurry wasn't as jaw-dropping as Miller's, it surely brought back painful memories for Knicks fans who had to endure Miller's barrage two decades ago. The facial expressions of Spike Lee, John Starks, Patrick Ewing and Carmelo Anthony in the front row confirmed as much. Tracy Morgan even flashed the finger at Maxey for crushing the hearts of Knicks fans.

After the game, Maxey was asked if he drew inspiration from Miller's iconic performance. The 23-year-old said he had never watched footage of Miller's heroics. Gen Z-ers, right?

Tyrese Maxey says he is going to go back and watch Reggie Miller’s iconic game-winning series of shots at Madison Square Garden when asked if he’s thought about the parallels between that his fourth quarter heater tonight.

“That was a long time ago,” says Maxey, born in 2000.
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) May 1, 2024

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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