Tyrese Maxey evaluates Sixers 10 games in after NBA Cup loss to Cavs

In the first 10 games of the 2026-27 NBA season, the Philadelphia 76ers are currently 8-2 and hold the top spot in the Eastern Conference, securing the No. 1 seed. Their two losses came against the Detroit Pistons on October 25 and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday during the NBA Cup. The team sits third in the league in defensive rating and 22nd in offensive rating, which indicates that while they have a strong defense, their offensive game needs improvement and time to develop.

Tyrese Maxey, a key player for the Sixers, acknowledged the team's progress despite their setbacks. He emphasized that they have been improving daily and refused to dwell on the loss to the Cavaliers. Maxey attributed the loss to the slow start by the starters, with Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and himself falling short. However, he highlighted that the defense was the standout aspect of the game, emphasizing that it was mostly the rest of the team that struggled on the court.

Maxey expressed optimism about the team's defensive performance, which has allowed them to come from deficits early in the season. He noted that this defensive improvement has been encouraging but also acknowledged that it may not be consistent throughout the entire 82-game season. He stressed the importance of energy and teamwork, suggesting that the team's lack of energy and coordination cost them the game against the Cavaliers. The Sixers will conclude their current road trip on Sunday against the Chicago Bulls.