76ers' Tyrese Maxey made the best defensive play of his career to secure win

Billy Heyen

76ers' Tyrese Maxey made the best defensive play of his career to secure win image

Tyrese Maxey had a chance to be the hero for the Philadelphia 76ers when, down one point, he rose up for what could've been a game-winning jumper.

He missed, but VJ Edgecombe put it back in, and that's when Maxey's real heroism began.

On the jumper, Maxey had fallen out of bounds in the right corner. The Golden State Warriors had De'Anthony Melton out in front of the field and hit him over the top.

If Melton simply lays the ball in, the Warriors win.

Instead, Maxey catches up to the play at a full sprint and swats Melton's attempt away.

Ballgame, 76ers 99, Warriors 98.

What a moment for Maxey.

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Maxey has taken over as the absolute leader of the 76ers. His defense has taken a step forward this year, and as mentioned above, he's leading the league in minutes.

Scoring has never been a question for Maxey. Now, he's doing it all.

He's also showing the commitment and leadership necessary to even be in position to make such an absurd play. And to actually make it? Now that's a hero.

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Contributing Writer