54 Points and Counting: Is Tyrese Maxey Philadelphia's Next MVP?

Last Thursday night in Milwaukee, Tyrese Maxey dropped 54 points on 18-of-30 shooting, dished nine assists, grabbed five rebounds, and added three steals and three blocks in an overtime thriller against the Bucks. He became just the seventh player since 1973 to record at least 50 points, three steals, and three blocks in a single game. Twenty-five of those points came in the fourth quarter and overtime, carrying Philadelphia to a 123-114 victory.

It was Maxey's third 40-point game of the season. He's reached 30 points nine times in just 15 games. And he's doing it all while averaging a league-leading 40.7 minutes per game, serving as Philadelphia's offensive engine while Joel Embiid manages a knee injury and Paul George works back from his own ailments.

The question is no longer whether Maxey is having a great season. It's whether the former Kentucky guard—drafted 21st overall in 2020 and considered a nice complementary piece for most of his career—is actually in the MVP conversation. And if the first quarter of the 2025-26 season is any indication, the answer is a resounding yes.

The Numbers That Demand Attention

Maxey isn't just playing well—he's putting up historically elite production. Through 15 games, he's averaging 33.4 points, 7.9 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game. That scoring average ranks second in the entire NBA, trailing only Giannis Antetokounmpo.

To put that in perspective within Sixers history: Wilt Chamberlain averaged 33.5 points per game during his 1965-66 MVP season. Joel Embiid averaged 33.1 during his 2022-23 MVP campaign. Maxey is currently sandwiched between two of the greatest individual seasons in franchise history.

His efficiency metrics are equally impressive. According to Cleaning the Glass, Maxey's 124.6 points per 100 shot attempts would be the best mark of his career. He's shooting 47.3% from the field and has knocked down multiple games with six or more three-pointers. Against Milwaukee, he went 6-of-15 from deep while also converting 12-of-14 free throws.

But the scoring is only part of the story. Maxey's 7.9 assists per game would easily be a career best, representing significant growth as a playmaker. His 33.0 assist percentage shows he's not just hunting his own shot—he's running the entire Sixers offense.

From Kentucky to All-Star to MVP Candidate

Maxey's journey to this moment started at Kentucky, where he set a school freshman debut record with 26 points against Michigan State at Madison Square Garden. Playing just one season for the Wildcats in 2019-20, Maxey averaged 14.0 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 42.7% from the field. He was named SEC Freshman of the Week multiple times and showed flashes of the scoring ability that would define his professional career.

When Philadelphia selected him 21st overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, the expectations were modest. He'd be a rotational guard, maybe a sixth man, potentially developing into a solid starter if things went well. Nobody projected this.

His career progression tells the story:

Year 1 (2020-21): 8.0 PPG, learning behind Ben Simmons and Seth Curry Year 2 (2021-22): 17.5 PPG, breakthrough season as a starter Year 3 (2022-23): 20.3 PPG, established as Embiid's running mate Year 4 (2023-24): 25.9 PPG, first All-Star selection Year 5 (2024-25): 26.3 PPG, Most Improved Player finalist Year 6 (2025-26): 33.4 PPG, MVP candidate

That's not normal development—that's transcendence. Each year, Maxey has added new dimensions to his game. The three-point shooting improved. The free throw rate increased. The playmaking evolved. The defensive effort intensified. And now, at age 25, he's carrying an entire franchise.

The MVP Case: Why It's Real

MVP discussions often feel premature 15 games into an 82-game season. But Maxey's case isn't built on a hot streak—it's built on genuine two-way impact combined with a compelling narrative.

Scoring Volume and Efficiency: Averaging 33+ points on good efficiency while playing elite minutes is rare. Only Giannis is scoring more, and Maxey's doing it with significantly less size and athleticism. His shot creation—pull-up threes from 30 feet, crafty finishes in traffic, drawing fouls on drives—represents the modern scoring guard archetype.

Playmaking Growth: The 7.9 assists aren't empty numbers. Maxey is finding rookie VJ Edgecombe for lobs, hitting Kelly Oubre Jr. in transition, and creating open looks for teammates while drawing defensive attention. He's become a true point guard, not just a score-first combo guard.

Defensive Improvement: Maxey led the Sixers in both steals and blocks in the Milwaukee game—a testament to his quick hands and improved positioning. He takes pride in his defensive effort, using his speed to pressure ball-handlers and generate turnovers.

The Carrying Job: With Embiid on a minutes restriction and George missing significant time, Maxey is averaging 40.7 minutes per game—by far the most in the NBA. He's not just the Sixers' best player right now; he's their only consistent offensive option. The team literally cannot function without him on the floor.

The Narrative: MVP awards aren't just about stats—they're about story. Maxey's story is compelling: the 21st pick who worked his way into stardom, the humble kid from Texas who plays with infectious joy, the player carrying a championship-caliber franchise while its stars heal. Voters love that arc.

Stephen A. Smith captured the sentiment after Maxey's 54-point performance: "Tyrese Maxey is a spectacular talent. He's proving he's not just an All-Star—he's a superstar."

The Sustainability Question

The elephant in the room: Can Maxey maintain this level while playing 40+ minutes per game for an entire season?

History suggests it's difficult but not impossible. Allen Iverson famously led the league in minutes multiple times while carrying the Sixers in the early 2000s. Russell Westbrook averaged 41.7 minutes per game during his 2016-17 MVP season. But both players dealt with wear-and-tear issues, and the modern NBA is theoretically smarter about load management.

Maxey's youth (25 years old) works in his favor. So does his conditioning—he's known as one of the hardest workers on the team. But the Sixers will need Embiid and George healthy soon, both to preserve Maxey's body and to give Philadelphia the championship depth they expected when assembling this roster.

The other sustainability question is shot volume. Maxey is taking 23.7 shots per game, by far a career high. Some of that will naturally decrease when Embiid and George return to full health. The question is whether Maxey can maintain elite efficiency on fewer touches, or if his production is partly a function of unlimited green lights.

The Competition

Maxey isn't winning MVP today—but he's legitimately in the conversation. Current top candidates include:

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks): 34.2 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 6.2 APG on absurd efficiency Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder): Leading the NBA's only undefeated team Nikola Jokić (Nuggets): The reigning two-time MVP doing Jokić things Victor Wembanyama (Spurs): Averaging 26.7 PPG with 4.7 blocks Luka Dončić (Mavericks): 28.2 PPG, 8.1 APG, but dealing with team struggles

Maxey stacks up favorably against this group. He's second in scoring behind only Giannis. He's playing more minutes than anyone. And he's doing it for a team that desperately needs every ounce of his production.

If Philadelphia finishes as a top-three seed in the East (they're currently 9-6, sixth in the conference), and Maxey maintains something close to 30 PPG while showing continued playmaking and defensive growth, he'll receive legitimate MVP votes. He might not win—Giannis and SGA have strong cases—but he'll be in the conversation.

What Happens When Everyone's Healthy?

The most fascinating subplot is what happens when the Sixers are fully operational. Embiid is one of the best players in the world. George is a multi-time All-Star. Both players expect significant roles and touches.

Does Maxey's scoring decrease to 25-27 PPG? Does his efficiency improve with better spacing and attention? Does he become more of a facilitator in a balanced offense?

The answers will determine both Philadelphia's championship viability and Maxey's individual awards case. But one thing is certain: even when Embiid and George return, Maxey has proven he's the engine. He's "The Franchise"—the nickname already embraced by Sixers fans—and his performance over the first quarter of this season has cemented that status.

The Bigger Picture

Win or lose the MVP award, Maxey is accomplishing something more important: he's establishing himself as a legitimate franchise cornerstone. Philadelphia signed him to a five-year, $204 million contract in July 2024, betting that he could evolve into this exact player. That bet is paying off spectacularly.

The Sixers have cycled through so many iterations—The Process years, the Simmons-Embiid duo, the Harden experiment—always searching for the perfect combination. They may have finally found their answer, and he was sitting at pick 21 all along.

Maxey's game isn't built on overwhelming physical advantages. He's 6-foot-2 in a league dominated by wings and bigs. Instead, his game is built on skill, work ethic, and joy. He plays fast but under control. He scores efficiently but also creates for others. He's competitive but likable. He's exactly the kind of player the NBA wants to promote.

Whether he wins MVP this season or in a future year almost doesn't matter. What matters is that Tyrese Maxey—the kid from Dallas who went to Kentucky for one year and fell to 21st in the draft—has become one of the 10 best players in basketball. And he's still improving.

Fifty-four points and counting. The MVP conversation is just getting started.

Sources:

• NBC Sports Philadelphia: "Sixers' Tyrese Maxey taking another massive leap" (Nov 21, 2025)
• Yardbarker: "Tyrese Maxey furthers MVP case with 54-point explosion" (Nov 21, 2025)
• The Lead: "Tyrese Maxey is Quietly Crashing the MVP Race" (Nov 15, 2025)
• On3: "Tyrese Maxey putting up Wilt Chamberlain-esque numbers" (Oct 28, 2025)
• ClutchPoints: "NBA MVP Mondays: Can Tyrese Maxey sustain elite play?" (Nov 4, 2025)
• NESN: "Tyrese Maxey Is The New Face Of The 76ers" (Oct 28, 2025)
• Basketball Reference: Tyrese Maxey career statistics (accessed Nov 22, 2025)