Tyrese Maxey struggles in preseason loss to C’s

Back on the floor after sitting out Monday’s preseason opener against the Knicks, Maxey logged 19 minutes on Thursday. With LeBron James on the court as well, the third-team All-NBA point guard spent more time off the ball. Maxey’s assist production could take a hit this season, but he may make up for it with more scoring. Either way, anyone who drafts him shouldn’t regret it.

All five third-team selections were named All-NBA for the first time in their respective careers on Sunday. Duren’s selection may be the most impactful, as he’ll hit restricted free agency next month. The All-NBA selection makes him eligible for a max deal worth up to $287 million over five years. However, given his struggles during the postseason and the Pistons’ need to also address Ausar Thompson’s future, Duren may not strike it that rich this summer. Especially with other teams unable to offer a deal on par with what the Pistons can.

A standout performer for most of this season, Maxey appeared to be a shell of himself in the second round. He had just one 20-point game in the four-game sweep, with the combination of the Knicks’ defense, specifically Mikal Bridges, and an injured right pinky finger being too much to overcome. Maxey will take some heat for his play in this series, and rightfully so. But there should be no concern from fantasy managers regarding the point guard’s outlook for 2026-27. Maxey provided first-round per-game value this season, and his emergence makes him a player who should come off the board in the first round of drafts next fall.

While Maxey shot the ball well on Friday, he was far too deferential on offense in a game the 76ers needed to win. There were too many moments in which the point guard continued to swing the ball instead of attacking the closeout and getting downhill. While that may have been the “right play,” the 76ers need a more aggressive Maxey on offense to have any chance, especially when considering the team’s lack of depth. To force a Game 5, Philadelphia needs Maxey to be in “takeover mode” from the start of Sunday’s Game 4.

Maxey bounced back after a difficult Game 1 that saw him score just 13 points in a blowout loss. The 25-year-old point guard had 26 points in Game 2, but wasn’t particularly efficient with 23 attempts from the field. It was enough to keep the 76ers in the game, but the Philadelphia offense couldn’t score down the stretch. The 76ers will have to win Game 3 on Friday to avoid falling behind 3-0 in the series.

The Knicks were able to keep Maxey in check on Monday, but the quick turnaround from Philadelphia’s Game 7 win over the Celtics was also a factor. The 76ers point guard missed all three of his three-point attempts and recorded twice as many turnovers (four) as assists (two). One can safely assume that Maxey will put forth a better performance in Game 2 on Wednesday night.

Maxey’s third 30-point game of the series helped the 76ers become the most recent team to erase a 3-1 deficit. The 76ers’ guard had a big night offensively, shooting over 50 percent from the field and dishing out seven assists. And with Joel Embiid hobbled late, Maxey scored eight of his 30 points in the final two minutes to help get Philadelphia over the finish line. Next up for the 76ers are the Knicks, with Game 1 scheduled for Monday night in New York.

Maxey’s scoring was a significant factor in the 76ers’ Game 6 win. He shot well overall, especially outside the arc, and also finished as one of Philadelphia’s leaders in assists on the evening. He had offensive help from several of his teammates, as well, which could be a key for the 76ers in a win-or-go-home situation on Saturday. They’ll likely rely heavily on Maxey, once again.

Maxey took a backseat to Joel Embiid once again, but he still got enough touches and shots to stuff the stat sheet in the Game 5 win. He has scored at least 20 points in every game this series, which is a trend that will need to continue for the 76eres to have a chance to win. Game 6 will be in Philadelphia on Thursday, where Maxey will look to keep up the scoring. This was also his best rebounding performance of the season, which is a trend that will hopefully continue.

Maxey shot the ball well in Game 4 and committed just one turnover, but the 76ers did not have enough firepower to run with the Celtics. Backcourt sidekick VJ Edgecombe (6/4/1/1) and wing Kelly Oubre Jr. (two points, four rebounds, one assist and one block) shot a combined 2-of-15 from the field, and the 76ers could not overcome those struggles, even with Joel Embiid back in the lineup. Maxey and the 76ers now head to Boston for Game 5 on Tuesday, needing a win to stave off elimination.