That limitation hasn’t erased Embiid’s impact, but it has shaped a season of peaks and valleys. Maxey, meanwhile, hasn’t just stepped up; he’s emerged as a central MVP candidate in his own right. According to a Yahoo Sports midseason report, Maxey’s production has vaulted him into serious Eastern Conference MVP conversations.
Maxey’s evolution has been the consistent story of the Sixers. Through December and January, he’s dazzled — high scoring nights, All-Star recognition, and leadership on both ends of the floor. His nightly output has flipped games in Philadelphia’s favor more times than not.
Without him, the Sixers look flat, predictable, and offensively constrained. Still, even as Maxey thrives, questions linger about depth beyond the top tier — and whether role players can maintain consistency when called upon.
Power Rankings and the Middle-Tier Problem
What complicates the narrative is that the Sixers’ collective performance doesn’t always mirror the talent on paper. National power rankings place Philadelphia in the middle of the pack — a team that can beat lesser opponents handily, yet struggles against other top contenders.
That middle-of-the-road status feels both disappointing and defensible. The 76ers have shown flashes of brilliance — particularly with Embiid and Maxey together — yet dropped games they arguably should have won. For example, Jared McCain had his second-highest scoring game this season against the Charlotte Hornets, but the rest of the team fell short in a 130-93 blowout loss.
Defense has been sporadic; offensive rhythm still fluctuates; and the rotation — tinkered with often by coach Nick Nurse — signals more questions than answers at times. On the bright side, contributions from young players like VJ Edgecombe have injected bursts of energy and versatility, offering glimpses of a deeper rotation that could pay dividends late in the season.
Signs of Grit in Close Games
A defining theme of this season has been resilience — winning gritty games that test a team’s identity.
In one of their most thrilling performances, the 76ers pulled off a 128-122 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets, executing consistently in clutch moments. In that game, Maxey led the way; Embiid recorded his first triple-double of the season; role players like Kelly Oubre Jr. made impactful contributions — all of which create a snapshot of the potential this group can tap into when firing on all cylinders.