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Mitchell Robinson: 'I F--ked Up' on Maxey Foul; Takes Blame for Knicks Loss vs. 76ers

Mike Chiari

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson put the onus on himself for a late foul on Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey that contributed to the Sixers' shocking come-from-behind win in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.

With the 76ers trailing by six and 25.4 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Robinson fouled Maxey on a three-point shot. The bucket was good, and Maxey made the free throw to cut the deficit to two:

While speaking to reporters after the game, Robinson took the blame for the foul, saying: "I'm gonna just take it like a man. I f--ked up. S--t, just got to be better next game."

After Maxey's four-point play, Knicks forward Josh Hart made one of his two free-throw attempts, and the Sixers took control of the ball with 15.1 seconds remaining, trailing by three.

Maxey's heroics continued, as he nailed a long three to tie it with just 8.1 seconds left in regulation.

Philly trailed 102-97 early in overtime, but Maxey hit another trifecta to stop the bleeding and the 76ers dominated the extra session from there, going on to win 112-106 and cutting the series deficit to 3-2.

All told, Maxey lit up the Knicks for a game-high 46 points on 17-of-30 shooting, including 7-of-12 shooting from long range. He also contributed nine assists and five rebounds.

Sixers superstar center Joel Embiid contributed 19 points and eight rebounds, but he was clearly laboring at times due to a lingering knee injury. That required Maxey to put the team on his back in some big moments.

The Knicks were hoping to end the series at home, and the loss wasn't for a lack of trying on the part of All-Star guard Jalen Brunson.

New York's late-game collapse spoiled a 40-point effort from Brunson, who was just as spectacular as Maxey for much of the contest.

The win gave the Sixers new life after being on the brink of elimination, but the Knicks will have another chance to close out the series in Game 6, which will be played Thursday in Philadelphia.

   

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