Tyrese Maxey’s Explosive 54-Point Night Against Bucks Signals a New NBA Superstar Rising

There’s a palpable buzz growing louder each time Tyrese Maxey steps onto the hardwood this season. The Philadelphia 76ers’ dynamo guard didn’t just turn heads on Thursday night—he practically shattered the darn thing with a career-best 54 points, backed by a near triple-double stat line including 9 assists and a slew of defensive gems, leading Philly to a gritty 123-114 overtime triumph against the Milwaukee Bucks. It’s no fluke either; only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tops Maxey when it comes to 50-point explosions over the last three years, a fact that’s as impressive as it is telling. With his sizzling production nudging his scoring average north of 33 points per game, Maxey is staking his claim near the NBA elite, walking a path once blazed by none other than Allen Iverson himself—who else, right? From a promising sophomore to an All-Star and Most Improved Player, Maxey’s growth curve refuses to flatten, even as injuries sideline key Sixers like Joel Embiid. If you ask me, this 25-year-old is crafting a new chapter in Philly basketball lore, steering a short-handed squad to a solid start and proving that superstar status isn’t just talk—it’s happening before our eyes. LEARN MORE

The Tyrese Maxey ascension keeps looking more real. The Philadelphia 76ers guard continued a scorching start to the season with perhaps his best game as a professional: a career-high 54 points on 18-of-30 shooting, plus 9 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks in a 123-114 overtime win Thursday over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has more 50-point games than Maxey’s four over the past three seasons.

That scoring outburst upped Maxey’s season average to 33.4 points per game, the second-highest mark in the NBA behind only Luka Dončić (34.6). He is also the second NBA player to open a season with 10 straight games of at least 25 points and 5 assists.

The other: Allen Iverson.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 20: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after making a three point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum on November 20, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) — Tyrese Maxey is doing Allen Iverson stuff this season. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

(Patrick McDermott via Getty Images)

It was abundantly clear by Maxey’s sophomore year that the Sixers had something in him. Then, at 22 years old, he was averaging more than 20 points per game despite sharing the ball with James Harden.

At 23 years old, he was an All-Star and won the NBA Most Improved Player award. Last season, he kept improving, but had to miss the end of the season with a finger sprain.

Now, it simply might be time to stop expecting the 25-year-old to hit his ceiling anytime soon. On a franchise where Joel Embiid was expected to be the do-everything centerpiece for years to come, it is Maxey who has taken over this season while Embiid deals with a knee injury that has limited him to six games, and it is Maxey who has led the short-handed Sixers to a 9-6 record.

That’s superstar stuff.