Tyrese Maxey put together a strong season for the Philadelphia 76ers and is widely expected to earn the first All-NBA selection of his career in 2025-26.
However, the guard faced difficulties dealing with aggressive defensive pressure during Philadelphia’s second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, according to Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Maxey struggled at times against traps and double-teams throughout the series and said he hopes the team can diversify its offense next season, especially as rookie VJ Edgecombe continues developing as a playmaker.
“When you’re in front of the defense all the time,” Maxey said. “ … it gives [the opponent] opportunities that have the entire team kind of load up.”
The player explained that elite players must be effective both with and without the ball to consistently pressure opposing defenses.
“And I feel like that’s one thing that really good players and great players can do. They can be on the ball [and] make plays on the ball, but they can also play off the ball and contribute that way, use their gravity that way.”
Sixers Notes: Edgecombe, Maxey, Offseason https://t.co/g6FpExgFyI
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) May 11, 2026
