Forget Harden, Maxey to the Rescue

11/13/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Tyrese Maxey Notches 50-Ball as 76ers Improve to 8-1; Clippers Now 0-4 Since Acquiring James Harden

As the first month of the NBA campaign wraps up, one of the biggest early-season storylines revolves around the two teams in the James Harden trade, and they’re heading in two different directions. The Los Angeles Clippers are now 0-4 since they acquired Harden from the 76ers, and Philadelphia is a league-best 8-1 to start the year. It’s safe to say the Sixers don’t miss Harden at all. The reason why is the confirmation of what many Philly fans hoped was about to happen — the superstar declaration of Tyrese Maxey. Joel Embiid won the MVP last season, and he’s the most dominating big man in basketball, but the emergence of Maxey as the #2 in a lethal 1-2 punch could be what gets Philadelphia to the next level. It certainly made Harden dispensable. Trust the process…

 

Maxey scored a career-high 50 points in the 76ers’ win over the Pacers on Sunday (137-126). He shot 20-32 from the floor, including 7-11 from 3-point range, and he’s now averaging 25.9 ppg, 7.5 apg, and 5.9 rpg while shooting 48% this season. Those are better numbers than Harden has posted in four years (Rockets, 2019). The Beard is currently averaging 14-6-5 with Los Angeles, and the Clippers (3-6) haven’t won since his arrival.

Watch: Tyrese Maxey Drops 50 in 76ers’ Win

 

Other NBA Highlights

Lakers Top Suns in NBA Cup Game (122-119)

*LeBron (32 pts) and Durant (38 pts) Show Out

Mavericks Stay Hot, Trounce Clippers (144-126)

*Luka Doncic (44-6-6) Now Leads NBA in Scoring

Rockets Shock Nuggets Despite Jokic’s Trip-Dub (107-104)

*Houston on Surprising 6-3 Start to Season

Timberwolves Stay Hot, Hold Off Warriors (116-110)

*Anthony Edwards Has 33 Points, Epic Sideline Jam

 

Photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images