Player grades: Sixers fall short to Knicks in Game 3, face elimination

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers needed a win in the worst way on Friday as their Round 2 series with the New York Knicks shifted to the Xfinity Mobile Arena for Game 3. The Sixers were faced with the possibility of being down 0-3--a deficit no team in NBA history has ever rallied from to win a series--and needed to get on the board after a tough two games in New York. The Sixers built an early 12-point advantage as the Philadelphia crowd got into it early, but the Knicks stayed calm and they rallied to take a 12-point lead of their own in the first half.

New York then controlled the game the rest of the way and earned a 108-94 win in Game 3 to push the Sixers to the brink of elimination. Jalen Brunson had 33 points, nine assists, and five rebounds and Mikal Bridges added 23 for the Knicks. The Sixers were led by Kelly Oubre Jr.

with 22 points and eight rebounds, Joel Embiid had 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists, and Tyrese Maxey had 17 points and seven assists. Paul George had 15 points and five rebounds while VJ Edgecombe added 11 and seven rebounds. Here are the player grades following the loss: Tyrese Maxey: B-plus Once again, the Knicks had no answer for Maxey when he decided to put his head down and attack the basket.

There is so much that he can do just by using his speed and quickness while being able to finish at the basket over tough defense. He was in a groove on that end of the floor, but the Knicks did everything they could to take the ball out of his hands and force others to beat them. It allowed Maxey to come up with some assists, but he was efficient with his offense when he did look for his own offense.