Knicks had a 95% chance to beat 76ers in Game 5 until Tyrese Maxey snapped

This first-round series between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks has been crazy in many ways. Physical play and officiating mistakes have been the big storylines, but Game 5 was emblematic of another trend: late-game heroics (or collapses, depending on who you ask). New York had a 95% chance of winning late in the fourth quarter, and the Sixers still managed to pull out the win.

The Knicks got a taste of their own medicine from Game 2 when the 76ers had an 89% of winning:

Sixers had an 89% chance to win Game 2 and lost.

Knicks had a 95% chance to win Game 5 and lost.

Insanity. pic.twitter.com/teZ7ThFxAz

— kev (@kevtaddei) May 1, 2024

I mean, this is just ridiculous, right? I don’t think I’ve seen a series with a pair of win probability swings this drastic at any point in my basketball-watching career.

95% is absurd odds to overcome, but Tyrese Maxey put the Sixers on his back and dragged them to overtime. Fortunately for Philly fans, they were able to seal the deal and extend the series to a Game 6 on Thursday night.

The basketball gods smiled upon the Sixers at the end of Game 5. They know New York is a city filled with rats, and I’m not talking about the rodents infesting the subways and sewers.

Just look at the likes of Rat Joe and Tracy Morgan. And those are just the ones we’ve had time to blog about.

Ironically enough, Stephen A. Smith summed up my feelings toward Knick fans beautifully:

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