All-Star Weekend wrapped up with Team Stars edging out Team Stripes in the finale, and while Anthony Edwards took home MVP honors, it was Tyrese Maxey who left an undeniable mark on the game.
Maxey, the Philadelphia 76ers guard who’s been playing like a man on a mission all season, brought that same energy to the All-Star stage. He poured in nine points in just nine minutes, adding two rebounds, an assist, and three steals-a stat line that doesn’t just show up in the box score, but tells the story of a player who impacts the game on both ends.
His defensive intensity stood out in a game that typically leans more toward flash than grit. Maxey didn’t just show up-he competed. That kind of motor, especially in a showcase setting, says a lot about who he is as a player.
After the game, Maxey reflected on his second All-Star appearance-his first coming back in 2024-and how different this experience felt.
“I feel a lot less out of place,” Maxey said. “Two years ago, I was nervous.
It’s your first time. You don’t know when to talk, when not to talk.
Now I walk into the locker room of my team, I was the second-oldest. I played against those guys growing up as kids, and it was really fun to be in the locker room.”
That growth-both on and off the court-has been on full display this season. Maxey’s averaging a career-best 28.9 points per game, which ranks sixth in the league.
And it’s not just the scoring. He’s also posting personal highs in assists (6.8), rebounds (4.1), and steals (2.0) per game.
This isn’t just a breakout year-it’s a transformation into one of the league’s premier guards.
Philadelphia, currently sitting sixth in the East, has had its share of ups and downs this season. Joel Embiid remains a dominant force when healthy, and rookie VJ Edgecombe has brought some much-needed energy. But make no mistake-this team is riding on Maxey’s shoulders.
If the Sixers are going to make noise in the postseason, it’s going to be because Maxey keeps playing at this level. He’s not just putting up numbers-he’s leading, he's defending, and he's delivering in big moments. The All-Star Game might not count in the standings, but it was one more reminder that Tyrese Maxey is no longer just a rising star-he’s arrived.