The Philadelphia 76ers hit the wall in Game 2, and Tyrese Maxey's tank ran dry at the worst possible moment. Despite pouring in 26 points and logging nearly 47 minutes, the All-Star guard couldn't find his second-half spark as the Sixers fell 108-102 to the New York Knicks in a gritty, back-and-forth battle.

Early on, it was Paul George who carried the scoring load, putting on a shotmaking clinic against a tough Knicks defense. The veteran wing torched OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges with pull-up threes and silky jumpers from the left block, giving Philadelphia an early edge. But George's night unraveled in crunch time—a costly turnover on a crucial possession followed by a desperation three that sealed the Sixers' fate.

The tide turned for Philadelphia in the second quarter when Maxey took over. With Knicks bigs Karl-Anthony Towns and Ariel Hukporti in foul trouble—combining for seven first-half violations—New York was forced into small-ball lineups. Maxey smelled blood. The moment Towns checked out with his third foul, Maxey attacked the paint relentlessly, drawing contact and free throws with a speed and strength that left the Knicks scrambling. It was arguably his most aggressive playoff stretch, even rivaling his heroics in last year's Game 7 against Boston.

But basketball is a game of runs, and the Sixers' early momentum faded. By the time the fourth quarter arrived, Maxey had nothing left in the tank. The Knicks' defense tightened, and Philadelphia's offense sputtered. For a team that prides itself on depth and resilience, this loss stings—especially with the series shifting back to New York. The Sixers will need to find a way to sustain their energy for a full 48 minutes, or this series could slip away quickly.