If there were any lingering questions about who has the hot hand in Philadelphia right now, Tyrese Maxey answered them emphatically on Tuesday night. The Sixers guard continued his absolute tear through opposing defenses, dismantling the Washington Wizards in a 121-102 victory that was nowhere near as close as the final score suggests.

Maxey, still riding the high from a career-highlight performance just days prior, didn’t just score; he controlled the entire flow of the game. While the box score shows a comfortable win, the game required a spark when the Wizards threatened to make it competitive in the second half. Once again, it was Maxey who provided the flame, cementing a two-game stretch that ranks among the best of his young career.

Tyrese Maxey Extends Scoring Streak to 20 Games

To understand the significance of Tuesday night, you have to look at the context of Maxey’s last 48 hours. Coming off a massive 44-point explosion in his previous outing, expectations were high, and the young guard delivered. Against Washington, he poured in 35 points on 13-of-26 shooting, bringing his two-game total to a staggering 79 points.

This level of production is becoming routine for the Kentucky product. With Tuesday’s performance, Tyrese Maxey has now eclipsed the 20-point mark in 20 consecutive games this season. It is the kind of consistency that separates All-Stars from superstars. While the Wizards attempted to throw different looks at him, Maxey’s ability to get to his spots and finish through contact rendered their defensive schemes largely irrelevant. He added six assists to his stat line, proving that even when looking for his shot, he kept the offense fluid and involved his teammates.

Taking Over the Third Quarter

The defining moment of the game—and perhaps the clearest example of Maxey’s value to this Sixers squad—came immediately after halftime. Philadelphia went into the locker room with a 66-54 lead, but NBA games are games of runs. Washington came out of the break with renewed energy, scoring the first seven points of the third quarter and trimming the Sixers’ lead to just five.

The momentum had clearly shifted, and the crowd at the Wells Fargo Center could feel the tension. That is exactly when Tyrese Maxey decided to shut the door.

Defense Turns to Offense

While the scoring numbers naturally grab the headlines, Tyrese Maxey was equally impactful on the defensive end of the floor. He recorded four steals in his 29 minutes of action, constantly jumping passing lanes and disrupting Washington’s backcourt rhythm.

These defensive plays were crucial in generating the transition opportunities that allowed the Sixers to pull away. Maxey’s speed in the open court is a known commodity, but his anticipation on defense is allowing him to utilize that speed before the offense is even set. His two-way play set the tone for a Sixers team that eventually forced Washington into a tough shooting night.