Sixers rookie Tyrese Maxey was on another level tonight as he scored 30 points against the Magic in the regular-season finale.
Celebrate the Sixers’ NBA playoff berth with some Philadelphia 76ers gear from FOCO!
The Philadelphia 76ers had already locked up the top seed in the Eastern Conference, so tonight’s game was considered to be inconsequential. While it didn’t have an impact on their post-season standing, the game still managed to provide excitement, thanks in large part to Tyrese Maxey.
The 21st pick in the 2020 NBA draft has been an electric player during his rookie season, and tonight was no different. Maxey wasn’t the only young Sixer to shine tonight, though.
Fellow rookies Paul Reed and Isaiah Joe also came to play, both scoring 17 points. As the top seed in the East, the Sixers are clearly a talented team at the top. They have also proved, though, that this rookie class is one of the best collective groups they’ve ever had.
With the regular season officially over, the Sixers will now rest until the playoffs begin on May 22nd. Their opponent has yet to be determined, but Head Coach Doc Rivers isn’t taking them lightly, whomever that team may be.
As a championship-winning Head Coach, Rivers knows that the job isn’t over until it’s over. While none of the teams in the play-in tournament may strike fear in the hearts of fans, the team can’t afford to underestimate anyone. This is something that the Sixers have done in the past, and it’s come back to bite them.
It’s a sign of youth to underestimate an opponent. The Sixers were, and still are, young, at least in the sense of inexperience. While Danny Green and Dwight Howard bring a championship pedigree, none of the team’s three stars have reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
That could all change this year, of course. The team has looked more mature, thanks in part to the additions of Green and Howard, but also the team’s Head Coach, Doc Rivers. The Sixers took a big step forward, and the coach is a big factor. He understands the team’s youth and knew how best to approach them to instill a winning attitude.
The journey is far from over for Philadelphia, but for tonight, the team can relax, celebrate, and most importantly, rest as they await the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
