Tyrese Maxey left the visitors’ locker room at the Fiserv Forum clutching the game ball after delivering a career-best 54 points to propel the Philadelphia 76ers to a 123-114 overtime win against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 20. He shared that Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards had texted him the message: “Filthy bastard.” While Milwaukee’s main players couldn’t quite match Edwards’ bluntness, they all recognized Maxey’s exceptional talent. Sixers coach Nick Nurse praised Maxey as “really talented,” Paul George called him “special,” and rookie of the year contender VJ Edgecombe named him “the best point guard in the NBA.”
Everyone agrees that Maxey, now in his sixth year, is playing the best basketball of his career and has elevated his game to new heights. He is currently averaging 32.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and shooting splits of 47% from the field, 40.9% from three, and 87.8% from the free-throw line, all while playing nearly 40 minutes a game. Maxey ranks second in the league in scoring, tied for second in 3-point shooting, seventh in assists, and leads the league by a wide margin in minutes played. Only Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic appear in the top 10 for both points and assists alongside him.
While Maxey may not win the MVP award—currently holding just the sixth-best odds (+5000 on Caesars)—his outstanding leadership has been crucial for the Sixers, who have overcome significant injury challenges. Despite Joel Embiid playing only six games, Paul George three, and key players like Kelly Oubre Jr. and Jared McCain missing time, Philadelphia started 9-8 and secured the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference, clinching an automatic playoff berth. Maxey credits the injuries and the difficult 2024-25 season for helping him grow, allowing him to fully recover from a finger sprain and dedicate time to improving his game over the summer by studying basketball with his friend Jordan Harris.
Maxey was already recognized as Player of the Year and an All-Star in 2024, but his current performance surpasses expectations. He is tied for second in the league in 40-point games (three) and third in 30-point games (nine). His 54 points and nine assists against the Bucks put him in exclusive Sixers history alongside Wilt Chamberlain for players with at least 50 points and nine assists in a single game.
Coach Nurse remarks on Maxey’s unique skill set, combining speed and deep shooting range, with over 80% of his shots coming from either within 10 feet or beyond the 3-point line. Maxey’s shooting is elite by any standard: among the top 10 in 3-point shooting percentage, only Grayson Allen exceeds him. He ranks second among players who attempt at least 100 shots from 25 to 29 feet, with a 39.4% success rate, and fourth in catch-and-shoot 3-point percentage with 51.6%. Former Bucks coach Doc Rivers, who coached Maxey for three years, recalls initially doubting his shooting ability but now acknowledges the impressive work Maxey has put in.
Currently, Maxey shoots 40.9% on nearly 10 attempts per game, joining an elite group of shooters like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, and Malik Beasley who have maintained that accuracy on high volume shots. Maxey emphasizes that every shot he takes is one he’s practiced extensively, giving him great confidence.
Besides his shooting, Maxey is a powerful driver to the basket, ranking tenth in drives per game and sixth in restricted area shot attempts among guards, shooting 62.1% at the rim despite being 6’2″. With defensive teams now focused heavily on him, Maxey adapts by passing more, averaging 73.4 passes per game (second in the league) and career-highs in assists and assist rate. Importantly, he manages to keep turnovers low despite the high usage rate.
The challenge moving forward will be whether Maxey can sustain this high level of play, especially with injury-prone teammates like Embiid and George. Paul George acknowledges Maxey’s fatigue from heavy minutes but notes he hasn’t missed a single game this season despite minor injuries. Coach Nurse relies heavily on Maxey because the team’s performance dips significantly when he sits, highlighting his indispensability.
Maxey remains unfazed by the workload, focused solely on winning no matter the physical toll. With the entire league now aware of his rise, Maxey has become the cornerstone of a Sixers team that once seemed fragile but now appears formidable.
—
Fan Take: Tyrese Maxey’s breakout season is a thrilling development for basketball fans, showcasing how hard work and determination can elevate a player to elite status. His rise not only bolsters the Sixers’ championship hopes but also adds excitement to the NBA as defenders and teams strategize to contain his dynamic scoring and playmaking skills.
