76ers' Tyrese Maxey gets painfully honest on controversial Game 2 L2M Report

24/04/2024 02:23

The Philadelphia 76ers’ 104-101 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 2 of their NBA Playoffs matchup was notable for its controversial ending. In a wild final sequence, the Knicks scored eight points in the span of about 30 seconds to steal the win from the 76ers. But reaction was swift regarding a foul that Jalen Brunson appeared to commit against Tyrese Maxey, causing him to turn the ball over.

The NBA L2M report validated this outrage, per ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel:

“Per the NBA L2M: Jalen Brunson pulls Tyrese Maxey's jersey away from his body, which affects Maxey's ability to secure the pass. This should have been deemed a personal foul on Brunson, sending Maxey to the line for two shots.”

The 76ers guard reacted to that report on Tuesday, appearing on TNT:

"I gotta be stronger with the ball. When I get on the floor, I gotta hug it and call the timeout, but it is what it is… We know that we can still win this series."

Tyrese Maxey reacts to the Last 2 Minute report from last night's Sixers-Knicks game.pic.twitter.com/Rlu0oeHIyw

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 23, 2024

Said Maxey about the play that doomed the 76ers’ chances of winning, “I gotta be stronger with the ball. When I get on the floor, I gotta hug it and call the timeout, but it is what it is… We know that we can still win this series.”

After the game, a team spokesperson said that the 76ers planned to file a grievance with the NBA over the officiating across the first two games of the series. In addition to the aforementioned foul that wasn’t called, Philly coach Nick Nurse attempted to call a timeout as Maxey was fighting for possession of the ball. The NBA L2M report ruled that the officials were correct in not granting Nurse a timeout, per Siegel:

“The NBA says the officials were correct with not allowing 76ers’ coach Nick Nurse to call a timeout with 23.7 seconds remaining last night: Hart (NYK) cleanly steals the ball from Maxey (PHI). An attempt to call a timeout by Coach Nurse (PHI) during this play is neither recognized nor granted by the officials; the timeout request is simultaneous to Hart making contact with the ball and PHI not having possession.”

76ers look to bounce back at home

While the 76ers are currently facing an 0-2 deficit to the Knicks, they have an opportunity to get right back in this series with a strong performance on their home floor. Star center Joel Embiid is feeling confident headed into Game 3.

"We should be 2-0. So, we’re good," Embiid said after the 104-101 loss. "We’re going to win this series. We’re gonna win this. We know what we gotta fix and we did a better job today, so we’re going to fix it. But we’re the better team and we gonna keep fighting."

Embiid once again played great, tallying 34 points, 10 rebounds and six assists while Maxey poured in 35 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds despite dealing with illness. Neither star is close to 100 percent but have to lead the 76ers against a gauntlet of a Knicks team nonetheless.

"This is all mental," Embiid said. "Obviously, it’s not the best-case scenario, but I’m good. No excuses. Play good or play bad, gotta find a way to win."

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