Trouble in Philly: Sixers Guard Tyrese Maxey Calls Out 2023 MVP Joel Embiid in a Heated Team Meeting

Things aren’t going according to the script for the Philadelphia 76ers. After they acquired Paul George in the offseason, many fans thought that the Sixers would be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. However, that’s not how things have panned out.

A month into the 2024/25 season, the Philadelphia 76ers currently languish at the foot of Eastern Conference standings, having won just 2 of their 13 games. And it looks like their poor start to the season is creating some friction within the Philly dressing room. Following 76ers 106-89 loss to the Miami Heat – their four straight defeat – veteran guard Kyle Lowry called for a much-needed team meeting. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, “Players and coaches held each other accountable and took fault in the start to the season.”  

However, this wasn’t the highlight of the team meeting. As per reports from Charania, Tyrese Maxey called out superstar and 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid for being late “for everything.” Maxey further went on to explain how Embiid’s laidback attitude impact the players and the coaches. While Maxey and Embiid have formed a close bond, the two have a history of holding each other accountable. A person who was in the meeting told ESPN that “Tyrese loves Big Fella, but this is the elephant in the room.” Besides calling out Embiid, players also told head coach Nick Nurse that they wanted to be coached harder. However, the coaches in turn stated that they want “players to practice with purpose and attention to detail.” 

Philadelphia shook up its roster in a big way this offseason after their disappointing six-game exit against the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs. The 76ers made a major splash by bringing in nine-time All-Star Paul George on a lucrative four-year, $212 million contract to bolster their lineup alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Not long after, Maxey secured his own blockbuster deal, committing to the Sixers for five years at $204 million. With Paul George, Embiid, Maxey and well-rounded bench, the Sixers were thought of as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. ESPN's Basketball Power Index ranked the Sixers third in its preseason rankings. Their preseason over/under win total was 51.5. 

However, a 2-11 start to the 2024/25 season has brought them down to earth. Having said that, Philly’s big three – PG, Embiid and Maxey – haven’t played a single game together this season. Paul George missed the first seven games of the season after he suffered a left knee bone bruise during the preseason. Maxey is also sidelined with a strained hamstring since 7th November, but he could make his return tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies. As for Embiid, the 2023 MVP has played just three games this season, with the Sixers medical staff taking a cautious approach with his knee. However, if Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey can consistently share the court, Philadelphia has the potential to become a dominant force this season.