PHILADELPHIA -- Tyrese Maxey needed only four three-pointers to pass Allen Iverson atop the Philadelphia 76ers all-time leaderboard. He sank five before the first quarter was over.

In a performance that was equal parts historic and electric, Maxey surpassed Iverson's franchise record of 885 career three-pointers during Philadelphia's 124-117 victory over the Miami Heat at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday night. The record-breaking shot, a trademark step-back jumper late in the first quarter, prompted the arena's Jumbotron to flash the milestone as fans erupted into sustained MVP chants.

Maxey poured in 20 points in the opening frame alone, showcasing the sharpshooting ability that has defined his rapid rise through the franchise record books. He finished the night with 28 points and 11 assists, pushing his career total to 887 made threes in just 375 games.

The comparison with Iverson makes the achievement all the more staggering. The Hall of Famer needed 722 games across more than a decade in a Sixers uniform to compile his 885 three-pointers, converting at a 30.9 percent clip from beyond the arc. Maxey, now midway through his sixth NBA season, has done it in roughly half the games while shooting a far more efficient 38 percent.

An emotional Maxey reflected on the moment after the game. "I'm just happy. I'm blessed. Thank God for the opportunity and the Sixers organization for drafting me," he said. "Thankful for both my coaches, Doc and Nurse. And lastly Joel, man -- he's been on me about shooting 10 threes a game since my second or third year."

That would be Joel Embiid, who delivered a strong performance of his own with 26 points and 11 rebounds in just his second game back from a five-game injury absence. Embiid punctuated the victory with a dagger jumper in front of the Heat bench in the closing minutes to seal the outcome.

The win was not without its anxious moments. Miami, led by Bam Adebayo's 29 points and 14 rebounds and Tyler Herro's 25 points, opened the third quarter on a 7-0 run and briefly seized an 81-80 lead. But clutch contributions from Cameron Payne and Dominick Barlow helped Philadelphia reclaim control, and the Sixers carried a seven-point cushion into the fourth quarter. Rookie VJ Edgecombe added 19 points, including a pivotal and-one play down the stretch, while Kelly Oubre Jr. chipped in 21 points and 8 rebounds.

The victory improved Philadelphia's record to 33-26, keeping the Sixers firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture with roughly 50 days remaining before the SoFi Play-In Tournament tips off on April 14.

The night did carry one somber note. The team announced that rookie Johni Broome underwent surgery for a right knee lateral meniscus tear and may miss the remainder of his first professional season.

But that news could not dim the glow of Maxey's milestone. In a city that reveres Iverson as perhaps its most beloved basketball icon, the young guard has carved out a legacy of his own -- one three-pointer at a time.