Sixers at Raptors: Tyrese Maxey explodes for career-high 44 points

Tyrese Maxey was exactly the tone-setter the Sixers needed Friday night against the Raptors. 

He started hot and never truly cooled off in a spectacular showing, scoring a career-high 44 points on 15-for-20 shooting and making a career-best nine three-pointers.

With Joel Embiid out (right knee injury recovery) and the Sixers desperate to prevent their 1-4 start from getting any worse, Maxey delivered and the team earned a 112-90 win at Scotiabank Arena. 

The Sixers will travel to Chicago for the third contest of their four-game road trip and play the Bulls on Saturday. 

Here are observations on Maxey’s brilliance and the Sixers’ second victory: 

Maxey harnessing his tools 

Maxey scored the night’s first six points with a three from the right corner followed by one from the left corner.

Within the first six minutes, he added two more triples. It felt very similar to much of Maxey’s preseason, when misses were aberrations and he’d inevitably have double-digit points before the opponent was settled into the action. 

While he’s not reliant on pace, it’s clear Maxey loves attacking when the defense isn’t fully back. And when foot speed is a factor, you’ll generally want to bet on Maxey.

“He’s definitely the fastest guy I’ve ever seen in my life,” P.J. Tucker said on Oct. 7. “Tyrese is insanely fast. It’s scary.”

Unlike a couple of years ago, three-point shooting is now a major part of how Maxey attacks. His first two-pointer of the game was rather impressive, too. Maxey took the ball coast to coast and beat the first-quarter buzzer with a runner over Pascal Siakam (26 points, 10 rebounds).

To start the second, Maxey went back to the long-range well. After circling along the baseline, he dished to Matisse Thybulle in the left corner. Maxey then swiftly relocated to the right corner, where Thybulle found him for yet another jumper. Maxey’s speed draws the most attention when he’s blazing down the court, but it’s obviously a tool he’s learning more and more about how to weaponize off the ball. 

Maxey drove to the middle, collapsed the Raptors’ defense, and kicked the ball out to a wide-open Tucker for a three that gave the Sixers a 51-38 advantage. He’s not shy about shooting when he’s on fire, but it’s admirable (and mature) that he keeps seeking out the best play for his team. 

When Toronto turned to zone, Tucker had the common sense to capitalize on a chance to get Maxey an open shot. Sure enough, he made it. Maxey ended the first half with a flawless 27 points (10 for 10 from the floor, 7 for 7 from three), four assists and zero turnovers. 

Maxey set his new career highs with back-to-back threes in the fourth quarter, giving the Sixers a 99-81 lead and allowing the team to breathe a sigh of relief after the Raptors’ inevitable comeback push. He’s a special 21-year-old player, and he delivered a tremendous performance for a team that required one.

Three-guard unit…