Tyrese Maxey’s Clutch Finish Sinks Kings, Extends Sacramento’s Skid to Seven
With just 1.3 seconds left on the clock, Tyrese Maxey didn’t just call game - he owned it.
In a dramatic finish that capped off a furious fourth-quarter comeback, Maxey took a feed from Joel Embiid and sliced through the heart of the Sacramento Kings’ defense, finishing with his left hand to lift the Philadelphia 76ers to a 113-111 win. The shot not only sealed the victory but also marked Maxey’s 40th point of the night - a career-defining performance on a night when Philly needed every bucket.
Let’s talk about that fourth quarter. Sacramento held an 11-point lead with just under 7:45 to go.
They had control, momentum, and the 76ers on the ropes. But then Maxey and Embiid went to work - and the Kings simply had no answer.
Maxey’s final stat line was a clinic in efficiency: 12-of-18 from the field, eight assists, and a relentless pace that kept Sacramento’s defense scrambling. He and Embiid combined for 77 points, a one-two punch that not only stole the game but extended the Kings’ losing streak to seven - their second such skid of the season. Since Christmas, Sacramento has gone just 4-14, and the cracks are starting to show.
For the Kings, this one stings - not just because of the loss, but because they let it slip away late. And while the scoreboard told one story, there was another subplot brewing that could shape Philly’s future.
DeRozan Watch Continues
DeMar DeRozan, long linked to Philadelphia in trade rumors, gave the Sixers a front-row look at what he could bring to the table. The veteran forward poured in 25 points, with 21 coming before halftime.
He came out firing - hitting his first shot from nine feet out just over a minute into the game, then drilling a deep three from 26 feet midway through the first quarter. He finished 9-of-15 from the floor, and while he only attempted one three - he made it count.
If this was a showcase, it was a strong one. DeRozan looked comfortable, efficient, and very much like a player who could bolster a contending roster.
Kings Shuffle the Deck
With Russell Westbrook and Malik Monk both resting, Sacramento head coach Doug Christie made a bold move: starting Dennis Schroeder over Zach LaVine. The switch paid off - at least individually - as Schroeder led the Kings with 27 points, including five makes from beyond the arc. He brought pace and shot-making to the starting unit, keeping Sacramento afloat even as the lead slipped away.
LaVine, coming off the bench, added 17 points in 29 minutes. It wasn’t a bad night by any stretch, but it’s clear the Kings are still trying to figure out the right combinations to stop the bleeding.
Domantas Sabonis returned to the starting lineup and posted 14 points and seven rebounds in 28 minutes. He looked solid, but not dominant.
Precious Achiuwa added eight points and led the team with 13 boards, doing the dirty work inside. Maxime Raynaud, moved to the bench with Sabonis back, chipped in eight points and seven rebounds of his own.
Keon Ellis added 10 points - another name floating in trade talks - and gave Sacramento decent minutes. But in the end, it was the Kings’ inability to close that defined the night.
What’s Next?
For Philly, this is the kind of win that builds belief. Maxey continues to evolve into a star, and his chemistry with Embiid is becoming something special. Add in the looming possibility of a DeRozan deal, and the Sixers are shaping into a serious threat in the East.
For Sacramento, the questions are piling up. Two seven-game losing streaks in a single season - with the second one unfolding right after Christmas - is a red flag. The rotation is in flux, the trade deadline is approaching, and the pressure is mounting.
One thing’s for sure: Maxey’s buzzer-beater wasn’t just a dagger - it was a statement. And the Kings are still searching for answers.