Why is Philadelphia 76ers-New York Knicks Game 6 starting at 9 p.m.?
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- After a thrilling finish in Game 5 thanks to some late-game heroics from Tyrese Maxey, Game 6 between the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks will be Thursday night at Wells Fargo Center.
But, the tip-off for Game 6 will be much later than the usual start time for an East Coast game.
The Sixers and Knicks are scheduled to start at 9 p.m. - and it could start even later because NBA games rarely begin on time. Here's what you need to know ahead of Game 6.
Why is 76ers-Knicks Game 6 starting at 9 p.m.?
Two NBA games are scheduled for Thursday night.
At 6:30 p.m., the Milwaukee Bucks will take on the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 before Sixers-Knicks.
If the Pacers had beaten the Bucks and former 76ers head coach Doc Rivers Tuesday night, the series would have been over and Sixers-Knicks would be starting at 7:30 p.m.
In other words, Rivers still isn't helping the Sixers fans, even after he got fired.
How to watch 76ers-Knicks Game 6
Game 6 between the Sixers and Knicks will air on TNT nationally and on NBC Sports Philadelphia locally.
If you don't have cable, fans can stream the game through a subscription to SlingTV and other streaming services.
76ers fans upset about the start time
Sixers fans voiced their frustration with the 9 p.m. start time ahead of the game Wednesday.
"It would be way better if it was 6 o'clock or 7 o'clock because then I think they could stay up," Evan Turney of South Philly said. "But even 9 o'clock is a tough one for people who have to work the next morning."
Hoops fans also complained on social media about the news and NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
"Adam Silver should be impeached for scheduling Thursday's Knicks-Sixers game at 9 PM," @TheClemReport wrote on X.
"When you're over 35 and realize game six doesn't start until 9 p.m.," @CogginToboggan wrote on X.
Big names call on Sixers fans to fill arena
After Knicks fans took over Wells Fargo Center for Game 4, big names like Charles Barkley and Dawn Staley have called on Sixers fans not to sell their tickets for Thursday night.
"Philadelphia, c'mon man. I'm so disappointed in you guys," Barkley said. "Can y'all stop those rugrats from New York, coming down, taking over the Wells Fargo. Hey, I cannot wait for the game Thursday, but it was embarrassing last week. It was embarrassing last week."
Sixers ownership and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin bought more than 2,000 tickets for fans ahead of Game 6. Rubin posted on X the tickets will go to first responders, health care professionals and other Philly-based organizations.
What happened in 76ers-Knicks Game 5?
If not for Maxey, there would be no Game 6.
It appeared the Sixers were going to be eliminated, but Maxey saved the season.
The 23-year-old All-Star guard scored 46 points, including seven in the final 25 seconds to force overtime, and helped the Sixers win.
Maxey said encouragement from Sixers guard Buddy Hield helped him Tuesday night as he torched the Knicks in front of celebrities like Cardi B, Jon Stewart, Tracy Morgan and Patrick Ewing, among others.
"I was on the bench and I was really upset, I was really upset with myself," Maxey said. "Missed those three free throws, turned the ball over. And Buddy Hield just kind of grabbed me and said 'Listen, dude, you know what you can do. Go out there and make up for it.' I really do appreciate Buddy for that. I know it's going to go unnoticed, but it was big time of him."
If the Sixers win, when will Game 7 be played?
With a win Thursday night, the Sixers would force a Game 7.
Game 7 would be Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City with a 7 p.m. start time.
The winner of the Sixers-Knicks series will play either the Bucks or Pacers in the second round of the NBA playoffs.