The sensational rise of Tyrese Maxey has been a sight to behold in recent years. A keen eye for scoring has transformed the Philadelphia 76ers star into one of the most dangerous guards in the entire NBA. However, his ever-improving playmaking ability should not fly under the radar — especially when it comes to late-game situations.
In the absence of franchise superstar Joel Embiid, Maxey has had to shoulder a large percentage of the offensive burden for the 76ers, despite the lack of experience as the primary scoring option for the team.
Early struggles in the 2024-25 campaign raised significant questions over whether this responsibility had arrived too early in the 24-year-old’s development. Nevertheless, Maxey valiantly fought through the adversity, becoming a stunning three-level scorer and is already averaging 34 points per game this season while shooting 45.5% from the floor.
Yet, there is another impressive area of his game that should be highlighted.
Maxey’s improved clutch playmaking ability
Throughout the 2025-26 season so far, Maxey has excelled in his role as offensive floor general — not only as a leader on the court, but as a leading playmaker for Philadelphia. The 2024 Most Improved Player has averaged 7.5 assists over the 76ers’ two victories and has displayed an upgraded level of composure.
Not only has his ability to distribute the ball been enhanced, but his decision-making has also been refined — especially during the latter stages of the Sixers’ fixtures, which have both come down to the wire in agonising fashion.
There has never been a better example of this newly found equilibrium during vital moments of contests than Philadelphia’s latest 125-121 triumph over the Charlotte Hornets. Maxey isolated his defender while Quentin Grimes swiftly shifted off a screen to manufacture space on the perimeter. Philadelphia’s electric guard then kicked the ball over to Grimes with poise as the former Dallas Mavericks sharpshooter sank the three-point shot that would propel the Sixers to victory.
This is a stark contrast to moments during the early stages of the 2024-25 season, when Maxey would have piled the mounting pressure on his own shoulders and attempted to make the game-winning play without any assistance from his teammates.
One thing is certain: the Philadelphia 76ers need Tyrese Maxey’s composed playmaking abilities to continue on an upward trajectory if they are to be successful by the end of the year. With little knowledge of how Joel Embiid’s injuries will fare over the course of the season, Maxey may be forced into becoming the face of the franchise and the leader of this roster.
