Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points but the Philadelphia 76ers fell 112-108 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Maxey addressed the game’s outcome, acknowledging turnovers and a slow third quarter: “Third quarter was a little sloppy… Bron made shots at the end.”
The guard spoke on his relationship with LeBron James, calling the Lakers star “like an older brother” and praising the guidance and wisdom James has offered throughout his career. Maxey highlighted the mentorship, saying, “I can call him and talk to him anytime… he’s a good player. Pretty good player.”
Maxey reflected on Philadelphia’s recurring third-quarter struggles, admitting the need for aggression early: “Joel keeps telling me… I can’t just ease the third quarter… I got to be more aggressive.” He pointed to previous games against Golden State, Washington, and Milwaukee as examples where attacking from the start made a difference.
He also commented on playing through physicality and inconsistent foul calls, noting, “Guys are grabbing you, pulling at you… fouls don’t get called… you got to keep playing through all those calls.” Maxey emphasized maintaining focus and composure despite the contact.
When asked about marquee wins, Maxey remained realistic, saying, “We just want to win. No matter who we play… I think they have championship aspirations, but we were right there.” He credited small execution errors, including a late turnover, for allowing Los Angeles to edge out the victory.
Maxey also reflected on the second-quarter lineup adjustments, recognizing the impact of teammates like Joel Embiid in orchestrating plays and opening the floor for others. He noted the contribution of guards and role players when Embiid and Jared McCain rotated in the lineup.
On LeBron’s performance, Maxey praised his longevity and dedication: “He loves the game… he’s a Hall of Famer… still doing that just to get better, just for the hell of it.” He cited James’ commitment to maintaining elite performance as a source of inspiration for his own career.
Philadelphia falls to 13-10 while Los Angeles improves to 17-6 with their third consecutive win. The 76ers return home Friday to face Indiana, and the Lakers host San Antonio in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday.
