Tyrese Maxey Drops 54 Points, Joins Wilt in 76ers History/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Tyrese Maxey erupted for a career-high 54 points and nine assists in the 76ers’ 123-114 overtime win against the Bucks. With MVP Joel Embiid sidelined, Maxey continues to carry the load, cementing himself among Sixers legends with a rare stat line matched only by Wilt Chamberlain.
Maxey’s Monster Game + Quick Looks
- Tyrese Maxey scored 54 points and added nine assists in 46.5 minutes.
- Maxey joins Wilt Chamberlain as the only 76ers with 50+ points and 9+ assists in a game.
- Played through a bruised quadriceps after logging 39 minutes the night before.
- Philadelphia now sits at 9–6 despite extended absences from Embiid and George.
- Maxey is second in the NBA in scoring, averaging 33.4 PPG.
- Coach Nick Nurse allowed Maxey to play the entire second half and overtime.
- Maxey shot 18-of-30 from the field, 6-of-15 from three, and 12-of-14 at the line.
- His free throws in the final seconds forced overtime in Milwaukee.
Tyrese Maxey Drops 54 Points, Joins Wilt in 76ers History
Deep Look
MILWAUKEE — Tyrese Maxey, already earning a reputation as the NBA’s hardest-working guard, added a defining chapter to his season on Thursday night, dropping a career-high 54 points and dishing out nine assists in the Philadelphia 76ers’ 123-114 overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
In doing so, Maxey joined elite company: he and Wilt Chamberlain are now the only players in 76ers history to tally at least 50 points and nine assists in a single game, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
“Blessed,” Maxey said afterward. “Any time you’re in a conversation with Wilt, who scored 100 points, you can’t complain.”
Maxey, who entered the night already leading the NBA in minutes per game (40.3), logged an exhausting 46.5 minutes just 24 hours after playing 39 minutes in a loss to Toronto. Despite battling a bruised right quadriceps suffered in that game, he insisted on playing—and stayed on the court for the entire second half and overtime.
“I just want to win,” Maxey said. “If I have to play however much I have to play to win, then that’s what I’m going to do.”
Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse typically negotiates minutes with his star players, but there was no debate this time.
“We usually have a little discussion there to start the fourth,” Nurse said. “He didn’t want to have the discussion tonight. He wanted to stay in.”
Maxey’s scoring came from everywhere: he hit 18-of-30 shots, went 6-of-15 from beyond the arc, and nailed 12-of-14 free throws, including two clutch ones with seven seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime.
Carrying the Load Without Embiid or George
Philadelphia improved to 9–6 on the season, thanks largely to Maxey’s consistency and resilience. The Sixers have been without 2023 MVP Joel Embiid for six straight games due to a lingering knee issue. Paul George, a six-time All-NBA forward, only made his season debut earlier this week after missing 12 games recovering from offseason surgery.
In their absence, Maxey has exploded offensively, currently averaging 33.4 points per game — second in the NBA behind Luka Dončić (34.6). George praised Maxey’s unmatched work ethic. “He’s special,” George said. “He plays 45 minutes, then lifts weights after a back-to-back. That’s why he’s where he is.”
Maxey, who was selected as an All-Star for the first time last season, missed significant time in 2024–25 due to a finger injury. He used the downtime to study film daily, returning with a sharper game and stronger mindset.
“I definitely was not as aggressive as I should have been [against Toronto],” Maxey admitted. “I got hit in the head and in the quad, so it was a little tough.”
He made amends in Milwaukee.
Zone Defense Helped Maxey Stay Fresh
Surprisingly, Maxey credited Milwaukee’s defensive scheme for his ability to stay energetic down the stretch. “The zone slowed the game down and kind of took stress off the body,” he said. “I didn’t have to move too much or work too hard to score or get the ball on offense.”
The Bucks, known for their size and length, attempted to contain Maxey with zone looks, but he navigated through with ease, helping guide Philadelphia to a crucial road win.
What’s Next for Maxey?
Maxey’s performance has propelled him into the MVP conversation, especially as the Sixers remain competitive without Embiid. With heavy minutes, elite production, and no signs of slowing down, he’s quickly emerging as one of the league’s breakout stars.
For Maxey, it’s not about numbers — it’s about winning. “I don’t really care,” he said. “I just want to help this team.”
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