Player grades: Short-handed 76ers battle, but fall to Knicks in Game 2

NEW YORK -- The Philadelphia 76ers got back at it on Wednesday against the New York Knicks in Game 2 of their Round 2 series looking to even this series up following a miserable Game 1 loss. The Sixers would have to do it without Joel Embiid who was ruled out due to hip and ankle issues, but they have been a resilient bunch all season long. The Sixers scratched and clawed all night long, but the Knicks did just enough to squeak out a 108-102 win and take a 2-0 lead in this series.

New York was led by Jalen Brunson with 26 points and six assists and OG Anunoby had 24 points and five rebounds while Karl-Anthony Towns had 20 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists on the night. Tyrese Maxey had 26 points and six assists, Paul George added 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists, Kelly Oubre Jr. had 19 points and five rebounds, and VJ Edgecombe had 17 and five rebounds, and Quentin Grimes added seven points.

Here are the player grades following the loss: Tyrese Maxey: B-plus When Maxey decides to put his head down and attack the paint, there isn’t much the Knicks can do. They have some physical defenders on the perimeter, but Maxey is too quick for them and he had some success getting to the basket and finishing. That then led to him finding a rhythm and he led a charge in the second quarter for the Sixers to take a lead.

He had some phenomenal finishes at the basket as well as some tough turnaround jumpers under duress. He also got to the line a bunch, too, so that helps the offense find some success. He battled all night long and played a ton of minutes to be there for this group when it needed him the most.