Multiple Sixers in awe of Tyrese Maxey amid historic start to season

PHILADELPHIA -- The Washington Wizards had whittled a 16-point deficit down to five early in the third quarter as it appeared that the Philadelphia 76ers had some slippage to start the half. After Tyrese Maxey had his layup blocked, it appeared the Wizards were going to make this a game.

Instead, Maxey put on a show. He drilled a 3-pointer to push the lead back up to eight. He later scored 17 of Philadelphia's final 20 points of the third to push the lead up to 101-77 at the end of the third. He scored 20 of his game-high 35 in the third to single-handedly put the game away as Philadelphia cruised to a 121-102 win over the Wizards and got back in the win column.

"I mean that stretch alone, he put the game away," said Paul George. "He just had his imprint over it from steals, getting out, creating offense for himself, creating offense for us, big shots. You can see he was just in a rhythm and a flow. He just took over."

Maxey is off to a historic start in the franchise history of the Sixers. He's totaled 649 points through 20 games. Only Allen Iverson (681 points in the 2005-06 season) and Wilt Chamberlain (661 points in the 1965-66 season) have had more points through the first 20 games of the season. He's doing all of this while averaging 40.1 minutes per night and carrying a heavy offensive load for this group.

"Obviously, that’s awesome when considering the names you mentioned and the other names that have been here," coach Nick Nurse said. "Like, the storied history of this program. It’s amazing to get in those kinds of conversations. I think that whenever I kinda start thinking ‘Geez, is he going to be able to continue to do this?’ and then he just goes out and he makes six or seven possessions look like ‘I’m gonna do whatever I want here. I’m either gonna shoot the 3 or I’m gonna drive by you. I’m gonna hit a floater.'"

Maxey continues to etch his name into the history of this franchise and is on track to be involved in MVP conversations for the 2025-26 season. Nurse and the Sixers want him to continue to be aggressive no matter the situation and take steps forward with his offense. He has done a phenomenal job thus far and Philadelphia is benefitting from it all.

"He’s just moving himself all over the court and getting himself clearance to shoot and, like I keep saying, he should shoot more," Nurse added. "He can get the space and he should do it more. I think that’s the big thing."

Maxey is doing all of this on the floor while also having to be the leader of this group. Once again, injuries have been a major part of this team's story as Joel Embiid has only played seven of the team's first 20 games while George has played only six. Maxey has played all 20 thus far and he continues to show up daily for this team.

"I think his leadership has taken the biggest jump," added Jared McCain. "I feel like when you're playing and when you're a great player like he is, when you're able to not focus so much on yourself and being able to lead us and focus a lot of energy on us, I think your game can get better. So, I've noticed that. He gives us energy, and that allows him to be better offensively, defensively, all of it. So I think just the leadership has helped a lot and helped the rest of the team."

As the Sixers move forward in the 2025-26 season, they will have to hope that Maxey can continue this strong play as they get healthier and grow into the title contenders they believe they can be.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Multiple Sixers in awe of Tyrese Maxey amid historic start to season