When you think of the Philadelphia 76ers' 2025-26 season, one name stands out above the rest: Tyrese Maxey. Despite a roster battered by injuries, the Sixers clawed their way to a 45-37 record, secured the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, and pulled off a stunning first-round upset of the Boston Celtics before falling to the New York Knicks in Round 2. Through it all, Maxey was the constant—the engine that kept this team running.
This was a career-defining season for the six-year guard. For the first time, he was named an All-Star starter, marking his second All-Star appearance overall. He played in 70 games and led the entire league in minutes, averaging 38.0 per night. In a season where the Sixers desperately needed reliability, Maxey answered the call every single night without complaint.
He kicked off the season with fireworks, dropping 40 points and hitting 7-of-9 from deep in an opening-night win over the Celtics. His season highlight came on November 20, when he poured in a career-high 54 points in a road victory against the Milwaukee Bucks. Time and again, Maxey put the team on his back. There were challenges—most notably a recurring right finger injury that first bothered him in 2024-25 and flared up again in March—but he pushed through the adversity with grit and determination.
The playoffs told a tale of two series. Against the Celtics in Round 1, he was sensational, averaging 26.9 points while shooting 41.8% from deep. But against the Knicks in Round 2, the finger injury took its toll. His scoring dipped to 18.3 points per game, and his three-point shooting plummeted to 15.8%. After the elimination, Maxey opened up about the injury, admitting it will require offseason attention. Still, that doesn't diminish what was a stellar regular season and a testament to his toughness.
Beyond the stats, Maxey emerged as the heart and soul of this team. He never complained about the heavy workload. Instead, he trained harder, led by example, and held the locker room together. For a Sixers squad that needed a leader more than ever, Tyrese Maxey delivered. His 2025-26 grade? One that reflects both brilliance and resilience.