While the Sixers need their stars to keep shining, it’s all hands on deck for Game 6

Philadelphia was able to fend off a season-ending loss Tuesday night in Madison Square Garden with a 112-106 OT victory.

Both Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid showed up and showed out. Embiid continues to play with a myriad of pain and injuries, nonetheless he secured a triple-double with 19 points, 10 assists and 16 rebounds. Maxey poured in 46 points, grabbed five boards and handed out nine assists.

Maxey was the hero with his stellar play down the stretch to force overtime. His playoff career-high in points (46) and three-pointers made (7) provided the league and basketball enthusiasts worldwide with an array of skills and savvy, making new fans with every play. Nothing was bigger when the stakes were at their highest. Everyone felt the Knicks had won and the series was over, when the fresh-faced 23-year-old All-Star did his best work with under 30 seconds to go in the fourth quarter.

The Knicks led 96-90 before Mitchell Robinson fouled Maxey, who played through the contact, made the three-point shot, then converted the free throw for a four-point play.

That opened the door for the game to be tied at the end of regulation.

None of this matters if the rest of the team does not play well. The 76ers played team basketball and everyone fed off the energy provided by Maxey and Embiid. Each person knew their specific role and played their part when needed.

Cam Payne has been the most consistent member of the second unit. He comes in and continues to exceed the expectations placed upon him. He played a little under 14 minutes in Game 5, scoring six points and pulling down two defensive rebounds. The playoffs are nothing new to him and he knows what it takes to win.

“Honestly, we have to worry about us,” Payne said on the broadcast of Game 4 at halftime. “We just got to worry about us…we can take care of everything, we just have to worry about what we’re doing.”

These are the playoffs with the best of the best from each conference. Nothing will be easy and it is going to take the effort of the group, players, coaches and staff.

The biggest takeaway from Embiid’s stats are the 16 rebounds. He has enough help with the play of his All-Star point guard, so he can focus on clearing the glass and creating extra possessions for the 76ers. Coach Nick Nurse has placed an emphasis on those plays that lead to more possessions.

Kyle Lowry has spelled Maxey, hit some key shots throughout the series, and he adds value by being a veteran who won a championship with head coach Nick Nurse.

Buddy Hield has not played to the level he is used to, however he instilled trust and played a pivotal role in boosting the confidence of Tyrese Maxey in the thrilling Game 5 win. Maxey shared postgame that Hield spoke with him in the fourth quarter stating.

“I was on the bench and really upset,” Maxey told reporters in New York after Game 5. “Really upset with myself, missed three free throws…turned the ball over…Buddy Hield just kind of grabbed me and said listen dude, you know what you can do…go out there and make up for it.”

Tobias Harris is a key component to the roster and his contributions take pressure off Embiid and Maxey, as well as keep the defense in check. Because, if left open, he can make the opposition pay. Harris was able to give the 76ers the game they needed. In the win-or-go-home situation, Harris responded with 19 points and eight boards, while shooting 63.6% from the field and 50% from the perimeter.

Game 6 will be played in South Philadelphia at 9 p.m. EST. The 76ers will take this quarter-by-quarter and one game at a time as they look to force a final matchup for the right to advance into the second round.