Tyrese Maxey

Left to wonder about their true potential all throughout an injury-riddled first half of 2024-25’s season, the Philadelphia 76ers viewed their six-game homestand — all against postseason-bound teams — as a “litmus test” of their abilities. As he took the next step towards becoming one of the most electrifying scorers in 76ers history, Tyrese Maxey, in every sense of the word, arrived to January 28, 2025’s game with something that looked similar to “the answer.” In what ultimately became his 11th-consecutive game crossing the 27-point barrier, Maxey made himself a nightmare to deal with in passing lanes, in the open floor, and, as literal two generations in Los Angeles can attest, in one-on-one situations. Down two-thirds of his All-Star caliber “Big Three,” Maxey became, as the new generation calls it, “big me,” collecting a game-high 15 opening-quarter points, and, with blazing speed, never again looked back. Coordinating Philadelphia’s success in a win as four-and-a-half-point underdogs, Maxey outmatched the Los Angeles Lakers, recording 43 points on elite efficiency overall (15-of-26), from deep (4-of-11), and from the line (nine-of-nine), alongside a three-rebound, two-assist, two-steal support.