Ridiculous Tyrese Maxey stat proves Sixers were right to move on from James Harden
James Harden who?
The Philadelphia 76ers aren't losing any sleep over the former NBA MVP as they continue their red hot start to the season behind Tyrese Maxey's stellar performances. The Sixers guard lit up the Indiana Pacers Sunday, dropping a 50-piece in a 137-126 win that puts him alongside franchise legend Allen Iverson.
The 23-year-old dropped a career-high while Joel Embiid put up 37 points as the 76ers moved to 8-1 for the season with their eighth straight victory.
Maxey continued his early season tear, shooting an efficient 20-of-32 from the field while going 7-of-11 from beyond the arc. He also added seven rebounds, five assists and three blocks as he eclipsed his previous career-high of 44 against the Raptors on October 28, 2022.
With his latest stat line, the former first round pick joins Sixers royalty in the record books.
Maxey's 50-points against the Pacers are the most in a game by a Philadelphia guard since Iverson, who dropped 53 points against the Hawks on December 23, 2005.
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At age 23 years and eight days, the Kentucky product is also the second-youngest player with a 50-point game in 76ers history, behind only Iverson, who had 50 against Cleveland in April 1997 at the age of 21 years, 309 days.
This season, Maxey - nicknamed "The Franchise" by teammate Embiid - is averaging 28.6 points per game, 7.2 assists per game and 5.4 rebounds per game. Those are all up on last season, when he averaged 20.3 points, 3.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game.
He is also on pace for a 50-40-90 season, shooting 50.5 percent from the field, 43.1 percent from 3-point and 93.0 percent from the free throw line.
Maxey has thrived in the absence of former Philly guard James Harden, who was sent to the Los Angeles Clippers in a blockbuster trade at the end of October.
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The young Sixers star's ascension to All-Star and All-NBA levels has coincided with Harden's woeful start to life in LA.
The Clippers are 0-5 since trading for the 10-time All-Star, and 0-4 with Harden on the floor. Their latest defeat came Sunday against the now 2-8 Memphis Grizzlies - officially the worst team in the Western Conference - as Harden and co. fell, 105-101.
Harden had 11 points on 12 shots in the loss, going 1-of-7 from 3-point land, and ended with a plus/minus of -28 in 29 minutes of action. With Harden on the bench, the Clippers were +24.
Through four games with Harden in uniform, the Clippers are -67 with him on the court and +24 with him on the bench.
It may be early days but every indication suggests the 76ers were right to trade Harden and elevate Maxey to the superstar status his performances are befitting of.
Philly fans, and in particular president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, whose relationship with Harden soured towards the end of their time together, must be feeling pretty smug right now.
Maxey is proving himself to be the ideal two-way guard and the perfect complimentary piece to reigning MVP Joel Embiid.
Harden, meanwhile, his on his fourth NBA team and looking further away from a ring than ever.