Tyrese Maxey isn’t just having a breakout season - he’s announcing himself as one of the most electric scoring guards in the NBA. The Philadelphia 76ers have leaned heavily on their 25-year-old star, and with good reason.
Maxey’s been lighting up the league, averaging 32.5 points and 7.5 assists per game, putting the Sixers squarely on his back night after night. But there’s a fine line between riding a hot hand and overworking your centerpiece, and Philly’s been toeing it for weeks.
Through 20 games, Maxey’s logging around 40 minutes per night - a workload that’s unsustainable for any player, no matter how explosive. It’s the kind of usage rate that raises red flags, especially when you consider the grind of an 82-game season and the playoffs looming on the horizon. Head coach Nick Nurse hasn’t had many alternatives, with injuries thinning the backcourt and depth pieces struggling to make a consistent impact.
That’s where Jared McCain comes in - and not a moment too soon.
After a lengthy stretch on the sidelines, McCain has finally found his rhythm again, and it couldn’t be more timely for the Sixers. His return to form gives Philadelphia something they’ve been desperate for: a reliable rotation guard who can take some of the offensive load off Maxey without the team skipping a beat.
McCain’s performance in the Sixers’ recent 121-102 win over the Washington Wizards was a clear signal that he’s ready to step up. He logged 25 minutes, chipped in 14 points and five assists, and finished with a staggering +37 plus-minus. That number jumps off the page - not just because it’s impressive, but because it came in a game where Maxey finally got a breather.
For the first time all season, Maxey played fewer than 30 minutes, clocking in at 29. And yet, he still delivered a monster stat line: 35 points, six assists, and four steals.
The Sixers didn’t just survive with him on the bench - they thrived. That’s a huge development for a team that’s been riding their star guard like a workhorse.
Nick Nurse has had veteran options in Eric Gordon and Kyle Lowry, both of whom returned to Philly on one-year deals. But so far, he’s kept their roles limited, clearly preferring to lean on Maxey and now, increasingly, McCain. That speaks volumes about how much trust Nurse is starting to place in the young guard.
This is more than just a nice story about a player finding his form. It’s a potential turning point in the Sixers’ season. McCain’s emergence gives Philly a chance to manage Maxey’s minutes without sacrificing offensive firepower - and that could be the key to keeping their star healthy and fresh for the long haul.
The Sixers are entering a new chapter. Joel Embiid may still be on the roster, but the torch has clearly been passed.
This is Tyrese Maxey’s team now. And if Jared McCain can continue to provide meaningful minutes off the bench, it might just be the support Maxey needs to carry this franchise deep into the postseason - without burning out before they get there.