Maxey-mum Effort: Sixers’ Tyrese Maxey’s Incredible March to the Playoffs

It’s hard to be excited about the Philadelphia 76ers right now. Fresh off of a 3-game losing streak, this team looks sluggish and unmotivated. Maybe it’s the nagging injuries or the tough road schedule; or maybe it’s the blatant mismanagement of personnel by the front office. No matter the reason, the Sixers have less than 2 weeks left in the season to get into playoff shape. The only starter appearing to give any effort as of late is Tyrese Maxey, who’s putting up incredible numbers in the month of March.

According to statmuse.com, Tyrese Maxey has a plus-minus of +100 this month. He’s averaging 23.4 points, 3.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds in the last 15 games. He’s shooting 55.6% from the field and 51.9% from the beyond the arc. He has scored 20 or more points in all but 3 games and racked up a whopping 37 points against the Suns over the weekend (his second highest performance of the season). Last night, Maxey scored 20 points against the 1st place Nuggets in the 2nd quarter alone!

Over last 10 games, Tyrese Maxey ranks 11th among point guards in total points scored (218). According to realgm.com, that’s better than C.J. McCollum, Jamal Murray and D’Angelo Russell. He ranks 6th in 3-pointers made (35) and 9th in field goals made (82). Not bad for a third year player who’s only 22 years old.

Maxey has been on fire since returning to the Sixers’ starting lineup. Some of the credit goes to James Harden and his ability to move the ball around, which creates shot opportunities and fast breaks, but Mad Max has proven he can score regardless of who’s on the court with him. The timing couldn’t be better with James Harden (achilles) and Joel Embiid (rest) missing games. As for the other starters, P.J. Tucker is a solid defender, but puts up 0-stat lines all too often; and Tobias Harris disappears quicker than Casper. The one constant right now for the Sixers is Tyrese Maxey’s production.

Philly has a lot to figure out over the next two weeks… First, how to keep Harden healthy and Embiid rested. Second, how to get consistent production out of the bench. Third, how to navigate Doc Rivers’ questionable lineups. Fourth, how to motivate the team to play with Maxey-mum effort. Only then can the 76ers march into the playoffs with expectations of winning it all this year.