Tyrese Maxey’s Star Continues to Rise in Double-OT Thriller Against Hawks
The Philadelphia 76ers didn’t walk away with a win on Sunday night, but they gave fans at the Wells Fargo Center a game to remember. In a double-overtime shootout against the Atlanta Hawks, the Sixers ultimately fell 142-134, but not before Tyrese Maxey put on another jaw-dropping performance that reinforced what’s becoming increasingly clear: this is his team now.
Maxey dropped 44 points in 52 minutes of action, pushing his body and his game to the limit. And while the Sixers ran out of steam in the second overtime-getting outscored 16-8-it wasn’t for lack of effort from their rising star. He was everywhere: attacking the rim, hitting big shots, and carrying the offensive load like a player who understands the weight of the moment.
Yes, Joel Embiid and Paul George are the marquee names on the roster. One’s a former MVP, the other a nine-time All-Star.
But night after night, it’s Maxey who’s doing the heavy lifting. He’s not just stepping into a bigger role-he’s owning it.
After the game, George didn’t hold back in his praise. “He’s a warrior,” George said.
“He’s a fighter, he takes so many hits, teams always grab him… He bounces straight back up. When he’s out there, I play for him.”
That’s not just veteran lip service. George, who’s seen just about everything in his NBA career, made it clear that Maxey’s relentless energy and growth are driving the team forward.
“I do everything I can to make the game easier for him,” he said. “He’s our guy.
It’s inspiring. Me as a vet, it’s inspiring for a guy to consistently do it.”
And Maxey’s improvement isn’t just about the eye test-it’s in the numbers. A season ago, he was already making waves, but he shot just 43% from the field.
This year, that number has climbed to 46%, and his scoring average has jumped from 26.3 to 31.7 points per game. That’s not just incremental growth-that’s a leap into All-NBA territory.
Meanwhile, Embiid’s presence continues to be a question mark. His talent is undeniable, but injuries and load management have kept him in and out of the lineup. That inconsistency has forced the Sixers to lean more heavily on Maxey, and he’s responded by becoming one of the most dependable players in the league.
Still, Embiid’s commitment to the franchise isn’t in doubt. He wants to win.
And watching Maxey take the reins has to mean something to him. This isn’t about a passing of the torch-it’s about sharing the load in a way that gives the Sixers a real chance to contend.
George, too, seems to understand the shift. He’s no longer the high-flying two-way force he was in Indiana or Oklahoma City.
Time and injuries have changed his game. But instead of fighting it, he’s embraced a new role-supporting, mentoring, and, when needed, stepping up.
But more than anything, he’s enjoying the Maxey show like the rest of us.
The Sixers may have taken the L on the scoreboard, but this game was another chapter in Maxey’s breakout season. He’s not just putting up numbers-he’s becoming the heartbeat of a team trying to find its identity in a new era. And if this is what the future looks like in Philly, fans have every reason to believe it’s going to be a fun ride.