With a heavy heart, Tyrese Maxey can count on the support of Paul George and Joel Embiid

head down Tyrese McKay he wasn’t wearing his usual post-match smile lost in double overtime to Atlantathat night at home. It must be said that the leader had a lot of money. For the first time for the Makey-George-Embiid trio this season, he pulled it all off again. But despite his 44 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists, Philadelphia ended up losing (134-142).

Tyrese Maxey especially blames himself for missing two decisive free throws with 4.6 seconds left in the first overtime, with the score tied at 126-124. Moments earlier, it was he who found the error of Zachary Rizaher to put his team back in the lead. And there, when he finished on the penalty line, two of his attempts hit the back of the circle before he went out.

“As usual, I thought I’d wear them. We’ll draw conclusions.”, he faileddisappointed.

Joel Embiid blames himself

To back him up, Tyrese Maxey will certainly be able to count on Joel Embiid and Paul George, first-hand witnesses to their leader’s remarkable rise during their absence. The team’s other two leaders are still returning, and the pivot, under a minutes limit, was unable to play the second overtime, which again left Tyrese Maxey a little alone in front of his new responsibilities.

The Sixers interior almost felt guilty considering the matchup script, horrendously cruel to Tyrese Maxey, on the verge of being the new hero of the night.

“I feel really bad. Of course there are minutes he has to play, all the pressure he has to deal with. I’ve been there, I know how it feels. You just have to keep believing in what you’re doing, keep believing in God and accept the fact that anything can happen.”, lost MVP of the 2022/23 season. “He’s having a great season, he should be proud of himself, of what he’s managed to achieve and of carrying the team. He’s doing a fantastic job.”

The leaders are now at his service

Back in just under two weeks, Paul George is also in the front row to witness the riot of energy of his leader, the author of his seventh game of 39 or more points this season.

“He’s a warrior, he’s a fighter, there’s no doubt about that. He takes so many hits, opponents hold him, grab him, fall so many times and get up every time.”, reminded PG. “It’s a leadership thing. And when he’s there, I play for him. I do everything I can to make his job easier. He’s our guy and it’s inspiring for me as a veteran to see a guy so consistent and efficient with all the minutes he plays. It’s impressive.”

Both know what they have left to do: to regain their best physical level so that they can help Tyrese Maxey, who really needs it and at the same time will be able to find a little more lucidity and freshness at the end of the match. In the end, everything was pretty positive and the only thing missing was a win.

“It’s the first time we’ve played together in a match. For a lot of guys, including VJ Edgecombe, it’s the first time they’ve played with Joel and Paul. We haven’t really trained together yet, so it’s a bit difficult. But that’s no excuse. We played well enough to win the match.”Tyrese Maxey concluded.

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How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.