Mired in a nine-game losing streak with their MVP out for the season, the Philadelphia 76ers turned to an unlikely hero on Saturday: Quentin Grimes.

Quentin Grimes' career night helps Sixers break losing streak

Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) reacts after scoring against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Grimes shot 18-of-24 and scored a career-high 44 points as the 76ers beat the Golden State Warriors, 126-119.

It was Philadelphia’s first victory since Feb. 4, and leaves the Sixers just 2.5 games out of the play-in tournament.

It was a huge night for a player who was originally an afterthought for the 76ers.

When Philly traded Caleb Martin to the Dallas Mavericks for Grimes and a second-round pick, their primary motivation was to save money on salary and luxury tax by dealing Martin for Grimes and his expiring contract, as well as get their own second-round pick back.

But Grimes had a solid season for the Mavericks, averaging 10.2 points and shooting nearly 40 percent from three-point range. Still, no one expected him to be unstoppable against the Warriors, who were riding a five-game win streak.

Grimes didn’t miss a shot until there were 34 seconds left in the first half, then followed the miss with a dunk and a buzzer-beating three.

He didn’t cool off, making his first four shots of the third quarter and at one point scoring 12 Sixers points in a row. When Grimes finally missed a shot, he got his own rebound and followed up with a layup.

He had no trouble scoring through contact, and on defense, he racked up three steals and a blocked shot.

The only way the Warriors were able to slow down Grimes was to send him to the foul line. Grimes was 6-of-9 on three-pointers but only 2-of-8 from the three-point line.

With Philadelphia clinging to a two-point lead with 56 seconds left, Draymond Green fouled Grimes behind the arc and he went on to miss two of his three free throws.

But thanks to a blown call when the rebound went out of bounds, and a successful Nick Nurse challenge reversed the Warriors possession after another Grimes miss, the Sixers got a third chance.

Paul George (17 points), undistracted by a podcast, made a jumper to seal the game.

Grimes is a restricted free agent this summer, having failed to reach an extension with Dallas. The 76ers might need to give Grimes a serious look this summer, especially if he fuels an improbable play-in run.