The Philadelphia 76ers witnessed an outstanding performance from their rising star on Tuesday night, as they faced off against the Boston Celtics without their cornerstone player, Joel Embiid. Despite Tyrese Maxey’s impressive display of 32 points and five assists, the 76ers fell short in a 117-99 defeat to their rivals.
Maxey’s individual brilliance was evident throughout the game, highlighted by his precision shooting and playmaking abilities.
However, the loss was compounded by the lackluster performance of the team’s other starters—Tobias Harris, Buddy Hield, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Paul Reed—who collectively struggled, shooting a dismal 8-of-36 from the field.
"Maxey fires and Maxey hits" 🎯 pic.twitter.com/eYO2oGTxdi
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 28, 2024
This disappointing showing prompted frustration among fans and analysts, who voiced their displeasure on social media platforms.
Criticism primarily targeted Harris, whose underwhelming contribution of 13 points on 5-of-19 shooting failed to meet expectations. Harris, who signed a lucrative contract in 2019, has often faced scrutiny for his inconsistent performances and perceived inability to fulfill his role as the team’s third option.
Despite Maxey’s standout performance, the 76ers’ reliance on him in Embiid’s absence underscored the team’s current challenges. Since Embiid’s absence due to injury, the team has struggled to maintain momentum, with a record of just 4-7 in games played without him.
Back-to-back huge slams from Kristaps Porzingis! 💪😤
Sixers-Celtics on TNT pic.twitter.com/YoFPZBGYjX
— NBA (@NBA) February 28, 2024
The Celtics, led by their formidable trio of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porziņģis, capitalized on the 76ers’ vulnerabilities, showcasing a balanced roster with complementary skill sets.
Tatum goes behind the back and KP splashes the 3 🎯
PHI-BOS on TNT pic.twitter.com/Q0qKeB774E
— NBA (@NBA) February 28, 2024
Boston’s dominance was further emphasized by their proficiency at the free-throw line, where they enjoyed a significant advantage over Philadelphia.
As the 76ers aim to navigate the remainder of the season and secure a favorable playoff position, the return of Joel Embiid looms large as a pivotal factor in their aspirations for success.
With uncertainties surrounding Embiid’s recovery timeline, the team faces mounting pressure to regroup and address their shortcomings to remain competitive in the postseason race.
