Everyone gets their heart broken. For most, it happens more than once. It can do serious damage, making us afraid to love again.
The last decade — hell, the last quarter century — has been filled with soul-crushing moments for the most diehard Sixers fans. From rookie injuries to guys forgetting how to shoot to playoff disappointments and everything in between, this basketball team has continually warmed your heart only to rip it out and stomp on it.
It’s only fitting that two players who basically fell into the franchise’s lap under the strangest of circumstances would be ushering in an era of joy.
The Sixers are one of four remaining undefeated teams in the NBA after an impressive 136-124 victory over the Orlando Magic Monday and a dramatic comeback overtime win the very next night against the Washington Wizards. They’re 4-0. After not winning their fourth game last season until after Thanksgiving, they reached that number before Halloween in 2025-26. The biggest reason: the stellar play of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
Per ESPN, the 186 points Maxey and Edgecome combined for through the first three games is the most for a starting backcourt through three games since at least 1970-71, when starters first started to be tracked. The historical numbers took a bit of a hit after a “down” game for Edgecombe in D.C. Nevertheless, the future is bright.
The winning and the stats are great, but both guys also play the game with unbridled enthusiasm — a welcome departure from some of the more sour personalities the Sixers have employed in recent memory.
Sure, Maxey is slightly less smiley as a grizzled, 24-year-old veteran, but it’s obvious the 20-year-old Edgecombe’s energy has been infectious. And it seems to be trickling down the entire roster.
But don’t mistake the joy for weakness.
On the first play of the game Monday, Edgecombe took an elbow to the face. He was bleeding to the point where the officials had to stop the game for an infection control timeout. Edgecombe never came out — though he did admit after the game that his teeth still hurt.
With the Sixers threatening to run the Magic out of the gym in the second half, Desmond Bane decided to do a little tough guy routine after fouling Maxey. Maxey rose to his feet and immediately got in Bane’s face. Double technicals were called. Bane committed three fouls on that one possession. He later committed a bad foul on a Quentin Grimes’ three-point attempt. Moments later, he fouled out.
When keeping it real goes wrong.
Tuesday felt like it just wasn’t their night. It would’ve been understandable if the Sixers sort of packed it in after falling down by as many as 19 in the second half and the Wizards seemingly making everything. Not with this group. A clearly tired Maxey powered through, Grimes came up with several big plays, and second-year big man Adem Bona took the game over on defense.
You won’t be faster than them. You won’t outwork them. You can’t bully them, either. It’s fun to watch.
The new discourse adds to the fun:
What do the Sixers do when Joel Embiid, Paul George and Jared McCain are all healthy and playing regular minutes?
Oh my, how will the Sixers handle integrating a former MVP, a nine-time All-Star and a guy that would’ve won Rookie of the Year if not for injury to a super fun and talented team? This sounds catastrophic!
For what it’s worth, Embiid recorded a 25-point, seven-rebound, five-assist stat line in a little over 23 minutes. He was also a +9. It feels like he’ll figure it out. Maybe pump the brakes on a few of the hot takes.
What makes it even more enjoyable is how both Maxey and Edgecombe were acquired.
If Mike Muscala doesn’t hit a game-winning three against the Miami Heat in the NBA’s bubble, the Sixers’ 2020 first-round pick would’ve belonged to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Instead, the Sixers had the 21st overall selection and Maxey somehow fell to them. The NCAA Tournament was canceled because of COVID. If not for that, Maxey might’ve improved his stock with a big game or two for Kentucky.
Daryl Morey took on expiring contracts during the 2023-24 season, hoping to clear cap space and make a big free agency splash in the offseason. He did just that, signing George to a max deal. The Sixers were all in on winning a championship with the Big 3 of Maxey, George and Embiid.
And we all know how that ended.
But without arguably the most miserable season in franchise history in 2024-25, the team wouldn’t have been in a position to take Edgecombe third overall out of Baylor. Things breaking the team’s way is a borderline uncomfortable feeling in Philadelphia.
Years after Sam Hinkie’s plot to tank and accumulate draft assets, hoping for superstars, the Sixers lucked into a star backcourt. Yes, Morey’s front office did well in scouting both players and selecting them, but as Hinkie relayed in his resignation manifesto, a modicum of luck is required.
The illusion of control is an opiate, though. Nonetheless, it is annoyingly necessary to get
comfortable with many grades of maybe. Sixers fans come up to me to say hello and many of them say the
same thing (almost instinctively) as we part, “Good luck.” My standard reply: ‘Thanks. We’ll need it.‘
There was something darkly fun about The Process. This is different, though. This is an established player in Maxey who is ascending before our eyes. This is a 20-year-old rookie more than living up to his draft hype in his draft year. All the while, a couple talented veterans — and a super intriguing second-year guard in McCain, who will bring plenty of joy of his own — are biding their time.
You don’t have to put big expectations on it or quantify it all four games into the season.
You’re allowed to simply enjoy it all, Sixers fans.
You’ve earned it.