East Notes: Sixers, Tyrese Maxey, Hawks, Raptors

76ers

Al-Star guard Tyrese Maxey has proven to be the Sixers’ greatest hope during the absence of center Joel Embiid. Maxey gave another example by scoring 15 of Philadelphia’s final 20 points in Friday’s win over the Cavaliers.

“I was pretty stinky the first three quarters,” Maxey told reporters. “If we could hang around and they could give me a chance in the fourth to close it out, I told them I got them.”

Maxey was actually the only member of the Sixers to make more than one basket for the entire fourth quarter.

“I love his game,” reserve guard Cameron Payne said. “Honestly, it surprised me. I didn’t know he was that good, but he’s a hooper, man.”

• Philadelphia snapped a six-game losing streak at home with the victory. The Sixers have now beaten the Cavs twice in a week, both times minus Embiid. They lost to the Cavs in Philly with Embiid earlier this season.

Hawks

Center Onyeka Okongwu has been placed in a walking boot and will miss at least two weeks with a left big toe sprain, the Hawks announced.

Coach Quin Snyder told reporters on Thursday that Okongwu would be sidelined “for the foreseeable future.” Okongwu had only missed one game before the injury, which occurred Monday vs. the Bulls.

A key reserve, Okongwu is averaging 10.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks, shooting 61.0 percent from the field, 33.8 percent on 3-pointers and 80.0 percent on free throws.

• The Hawks are struggling to do anything more than stay in the play-in tournament and none of that changed in Friday’s loss to the Raptors. “If you were hoping that the Hawks would come out energized after the All-Star Break and start playing better, that is not what you got,” wrote Jackson Caudell of SI.com. “Atlanta still can’t guard anyone, Trae Young had arguably his worst game of the season, and the Hawks could not buy a basket in the second half.”

Raptors

The new-look Raptors are showing some pride as they embark on the season’s final stretch, coach Darko Rajakovic said.

“It is just two games, but what I really like about this group is they are together,” he told reporters. “They are really enjoying being with each other and competing with each other.”

• Guard Immanuel Quickley scored 24 points and buried six threes in Friday’s win over the Hawks, helping the Raptors overcome the loss of wing RJ Barrett, who rested his achy left knee. The Raptors are 2-0 since the All-Star Break.