Tyrese Maxey scored 29 points, including the go-ahead basket with 24 seconds remaining, to elevate the undermanned Philadelphia 76ers past the visiting Washington Wizards 109-103 on Wednesday.
Maxey’s driving finger roll to break a 103-103 stalemate made up for the previous possession when the game’s high scorer missed a contested fadeaway jumper. Maxey got his second chance when Philadelphia forced Kyle Kuzma to miss a long jump shot on the other end.
The Maxey basket was part of a game-ending 8-0 run for the 76ers, the other six points of which came at the free-throw line. Maxey hit two from the charity stripe to force the tie after Washington had pulled ahead in controversial fashion.
The Wizards, battling back from down as many as 16, took a 103-101 lead when Kuzma scored on a fastbreak layup. Kuzma picked up his dribble en route to the basket, then began dribbling again before the score, but officials did not call the violation.
Washington took its first lead since the game’s opening minutes earlier in the period on the strength of a 20-5 run, fueled by reserves Jared Butler and Corey Kispert. The two each scored eight points in the burst, part of Butler’s career-high 26 and Kispert’s season-high-tying 23.
The Wizards’ bench contribution also included Richaun Holmes’ 11 rebounds, complementing Jonas Valanciunas’ 14 boards. Valanciunas also scored 14 points for a double-double but committed eight of Washington’s 17 turnovers.
The turnovers played a key role for Philadelphia. The Sixers converted those takeaways into 27 points, compared to Washington’s 16 points on nine Philadelphia turnovers.
Four Sixers scored in double figures, including Guerschon Yabusele, whose 21 points were one shy of his career high. Eric Gordon and Kelly Oubre Jr. each added 15 points.
Philadelphia played without Joel Embiid (foot), Paul George (groin), Andre Drummond (toe) and Kyle Lowry (hip).
–Field Level Media
