Why Tyrese Maxey’s tormenting of the Knicks feels a lot like another recent playoff nightmare

While Joel Embiid may be the 76er that Knicks fans love to hate, it was Tyrese Maxey who did the most damage against them again in the Knicks’ 112-106 Game 5 overtime loss Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

And although most of the Garden vitriol has been saved for the hobbled Embiid, Maxey has made enough of an impression to get some boos from Knicks’ fans, as well.

The lightning-quick guard is putting on a star-making display against the Knicks reminiscent of the one Atlanta’s Trae Young did three years ago.

Back in 2021, Young became Public Enemy No. 1 at MSG, putting up point totals of 32, 30, 21, 27 and 36 in Atlanta’s first-round showdown with the Knicks, won by the Hawks in five games.