WASHINGTON (AFP) — Tyrese Maxey scored 54 points to spark the Philadelphia 76ers in a 123-114 overtime National Basketball Association (NBA) victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday while San Antonio surged late to beat Atlanta.
In 47 minutes, star guard Maxey made 18-of-30 shots from the floor, 6-of-15 from three-point range, and 12-of-14 free throws while passing out nine assists and grabbing five rebounds.
Milwaukee’s Myles Turner hit a three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining to give the Bucks a 106-104 lead, but Maxey sank two free throws with seven seconds remaining in regulation time to force an extra period.
Maxey scored six points in overtime and the Sixers dominated for the victory.
Paul George added 21 points for the 76ers while Ryan Rollins had 32 to lead Milwaukee, which was without injured star Giannis Antetokounmpo, just as the Sixers lacked Cameroonian big man Joel Embiid.
In San Antonio, De’Aaron Fox scored 26 points and Keldon Johnson added 25 off the bench to spark the Spurs over visiting Atlanta, 135-126.
The Spurs improved to 11-4 overall and 3-0 since losing star Victor Wembanyama due to a calf injury, thanks to a group effort filling in for the French big man.
Fox added nine assists and Johnson had seven assists as well as a season high in points, 18 of them coming in the first half.
“My teammates, they expect me to score the basketball,” Johnson said.
“They believe in me even when I struggle to believe in myself.”
Julian Champagnie scored 20 points, eight of them in a crucial 16-2 Spurs run in the fourth quarter to give San Antonio a 116-103 lead.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored a season-high 38 points and Jalen Johnson added 26 to lead the Hawks, who welcomed back center Kristaps Porzingis from a right knee injury and forward Zaccharie Risacher from a bruised left hip.
Atlanta guard Trae Young remains out with a knee sprain.