Tyrese Maxey’s Clutch-Time Growing Pains Could Define the Sixers’ Ceiling
The Philadelphia 76ers are very much in the thick of the Eastern Conference race. Despite some bumps in the road recently, they’re still tracking toward a top-four finish, and barring something unforeseen, a playoff berth is all but locked in.
A big reason for that? Tyrese Maxey.
Maxey has taken a major leap this season. He’s putting up career-highs across the board and has stepped confidently into a larger role, especially with Joel Embiid missing time.
His speed, shot-making, and energy have been vital in keeping the Sixers afloat. But as good as Maxey has been, there’s one part of his game that still needs refinement - and it’s a part that becomes especially important when the lights are brightest.
We’re talking about crunch time.
Now, let’s be clear: Maxey isn’t disappearing in late-game situations. In fact, he ranks sixth in the NBA in clutch points per game - a stat that speaks to his willingness to take on responsibility when it matters most.
He’s not shying away from the moment. But that’s only half the battle.
The other half is about decision-making, and that’s where things get complicated.
Take Saturday’s game against the Knicks. The Sixers were down three, with a chance to tie the game in the final minutes.
Maxey came off a Joel Embiid screen and launched a deep three - we’re talking logo range - early in the shot clock. It wasn’t close.
The possession ended with a miss and, ultimately, the Sixers’ comeback fizzled.
After the game, Maxey was candid. He admitted he didn’t expect to get fouled and acknowledged he could’ve taken a dribble or two to create a better look. That kind of self-awareness is encouraging, but it also highlights the issue: he’s still learning how to manage those critical moments.
This isn’t a one-off. Maxey has had a few of these late-game misfires this season.
Sometimes it’s shot selection. Other times it’s over-dribbling or forcing a play that isn’t there.
It’s clear he wants to be the guy in those moments, and that mentality is part of what makes him special. But there’s a fine line between confidence and control, and right now, Maxey is still figuring out where that line is.
The Sixers have felt the effects. Last season, some of Maxey’s late-game decisions cost them wins.
This year, the stakes are even higher. With a healthy Embiid and a roster that’s built to compete now, Philadelphia can’t afford to give games away in crunch time.
And while Maxey has delivered some big moments, the inconsistency is something that could haunt them in the postseason.
This isn’t about criticizing Maxey - it’s about recognizing where he is in his development. He’s 25, in the middle of a breakout year, and carrying more responsibility than ever before.
Growing pains are part of the process. But if the Sixers are going to make a deep playoff run, they’ll need Maxey to evolve from a high-volume scorer to a high-IQ closer.
That means reading the defense, trusting his teammates, and knowing when to take over - and when to defer.
The good news? Maxey has shown he’s willing to learn.
He’s already made huge strides this season. But crunch time is a different animal.
It’s where games - and seasons - are won or lost. If he can tighten up that part of his game, the Sixers become a much more dangerous team in April and beyond.
Until then, Philly’s late-game fortunes may continue to ride the Maxey rollercoaster - thrilling, unpredictable, and occasionally hard to watch.