What happened: Philadelphia closed out a 106-100 win against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Maxey jumped a pass late and converted it at the other end to shut the door. Nurse summed it up as Maxey reading the situation well.

Why it matters: Taking a tight road opener gives Philadelphia an early foothold before the East race compresses. The finish followed his recovery block on tip-off night, underscoring a two-way closing role.

What to watch: Philadelphia's next close-game assignments will show how permanent Maxey's late defensive role becomes.