The Philadelphia 76ers suffered a heartbreaking loss in the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals. Joel Embiid and Co. were up 3-2 against the Boston Celtics despite the reigning MVP missing the game due to injury. But the Celtics turned things around in Game 6 and went on to eliminate the 76ers in a 7-game thriller.

The 76ers were agonizingly close to reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. But some minor mistakes in Game 6 against the Celtics cost them that opportunity. Philadelphia 76ers? 22-year-old guard Tyrese Maxey thus revealed the ?Gamble? that cost his team the series against Jayson Tatum and Co.

Tyrese Maxey is still ?Hurt? about the Boston Series

Tyrese Maxey was a guest on The Old Man & The Three Podcast hosted by former NBA player JJ Redick. In conversation with JJ, the young point guard reminisced about the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics. Maxey believed that the Sixers had the series won as they were up 3-2, but his ?gamble? in Game 6 led to their early playoff exit. ?It hurts to even talk about this again, but we were up 3-2, and we were winning in the 4th quarter with 4 minutes to go.? Maxey said.

Maxey revealed the Sixers made two defensive mistakes in the game that cost them the whole series. And one of the mistakes was made by the young point guard himself. In one play during the closing minutes of the game, Maxey ?gambled? by going for the steal on a pass to Jayson Tatum but failed. Tatum hit a three-pointer over Joel Embiid, giving the Celtics a glimmer of hope. After that, the Celtics made a comeback and went on to win the game. Maxey learned in the series against Boston how important it was to be at your best during the playoffs because one mistake can change the whole series.

Tyrese Maxey has a bright future in Philadelphia

Despite his team losing against Jayson Tatum and Co. last season, Tyrese Maxey proved that he can run the show in case James Harden gets traded from Philadelphia. Maxey was drafted Number 21 in the 2020 draft and has improved his game each season. He averaged his career-best 20.3 points and 3.5 assists last season and continued that momentum throughout the playoffs.

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Maxey shined even brighter in the 2023 playoffs, averaging 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists. The 2023 playoffs helped the 22-year-old learn how to perform in tough situations and big moments. With James Harden likely to leave Philadelphia this season, the position of the starting point guard might just be filled by Tyrese Maxey.

That will be a great opportunity for the young guard as he can help Joel Embiid win his first championship in Philadelphia.

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