Buddy Hield's message in Tyrese Maxey pep talk that fueled 76ers' Game 5 win
03/05/2024 02:53
PHILADELPHIA — Buddy Hield noticed that Tyrese Maxey needed a boost of confidence during the fourth quarter of the Philadelphia 76ers’ Game 5 clash with the New York Knicks. What he said to Maxey sparked a legendary sequence that kept the Sixers in the series, setting the stage for them to potentially force a do-or-die Game 7 despite losing three of the first four games.
"Move on. Next play. You got this," Hield remembers telling Maxey. After missing several free throws and giving the ball away, Maxey was disappointed with himself as the Sixers fell further behind in a neck-and-neck race. The course correction from Hield gave him the mindset he needed to make his gigantic, seismic mark on the game, scoring seven points in 17 seconds to send the game to overtime.
Maxey gave Hield a shoutout for giving him the pep talk after his 46-point performance. While Hield hasn't seen the court since Game 3, his leadership was a crucial contribution to the Sixers’ Game 5 victory.
Tyrese Maxey said being passive in the last 4th quarter made him want to be aggressive this time.
He gave a shoutout to Buddy Hield for keeping him calm after he missed several FTs pic.twitter.com/6g9ijEa5Rz
— Sam DiGiovanni (@BySamDiGiovanni) May 1, 2024
Hield knows that his voice carries weight with the 76ers, who maintain a strong unity no matter who gets the minutes. The positivity from the bench, as his pep talk with Maxey showed, can influence what happens in between the lines.
"We’re all listening together no matter who’s on the court,who’snot," Hield said. "The goal is to try to getawinandmovetothe next round andwe’re just tryingto get thatsupportthateverybodyneeds.AndhedoesthesamethingwhenI’monthecourt. Wedoit for everybody. Just give himconfidenceand that samesupportthatwealldo ’cause it’s tough on him, man.
"Especiallybeing a 23-year-old,being on this stage andplaying in The Garden and making plays. That shows the growth and how special he is," Hield continued. He added that the series is going "only up for him fromhere."
Before joining the 76ers, Hield spent years playing alongside De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, seeing what young lead guards deal with in their ascent to stardom and how they instantly take the role of the star that young hoopers aspire for. Maxey’s game is its own beast — and so is his work ethic, as Hield noted, becoming only the latest person to tout Maxey as an immensely hard worker.
"Ithinkthathehasveryrarespeed.He can shootthelights out.He’sveryconfident.Heworkshisbutt off," Hield said. I thinkthatthegamesalwaysreward players like that."
Maxey, who has been vocal about role players like Hield when they’re able to step up in big moments, has had to grow up very quickly for this Sixers team. Becoming Joel Embiid’s co-star has tested him immensely. Winning the Most Improved Player award signifies the recognition he has rightly earned. But it’s also the testimony from teammates like Hield that illustrates the bright present Maxey has and the brighter future down the line.
Tne 76ers season is still on the line in Game 6. Tyrese Maxey will have to continue being great to get his team back to Madison Square Garden for Game 7. His teammates remain confident that he can come through.
"Ijusttold himtoday, 'Goodonesrespondtogameslikethis,'" Hield said. "Iknowhe’sgonnarespondtoday."
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