Tyrese Maxey has earned his first All-Star starting nod, capping a breakout 2025-26 campaign that has lifted the Philadelphia 76ers back into contention.
At a Glance
- Maxey headlines Eastern Conference starters for Feb. 15 showcase at Intuit Dome
- Averaging 30.3 points and 39.4 minutes per game, both career highs
- Philadelphia sits 22-18, a 14-game swing from last season’s 24-58 disaster
Why it matters: The 25-year-old’s leap from reserve to starter signals both individual stardom and a franchise turnaround.
The league revealed Monday that fan, player and media ballots vaulted Maxey into the top-five alongside Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Jaylen Brown and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Western Conference voters rewarded Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama.
Selection rules weight fan returns at 50 percent, with players and media panels each controlling 25 percent.
From Reserve to Headliner
Maxey debuted as an All-Star reserve in 2023-24, posting 26.3 points on shaky efficiency while Philadelphia crumbled to a 24-58 record. One year later, his scoring has climbed to 30.3 on cleaner splits, and the Sixers own a winning mark at the season’s halfway point.
The guard’s usage has skyrocketed: he leads the NBA in minutes (39.4) while ranking third in scoring, fourth in made threes per night (3.7) and fourth in steals (1.9).
Backcourt partner VJ Edgecombe noticed the difference when Maxey sat two December games with an illness.
“I definitely missed him,” Edgecombe said. “He helps take some of the load off of everyone on the court. … I feel like we can be really scary, especially at the level Tyrese is playing at this year. He’s now at superstar level in my eyes.”
New Format, Same Stage
The 2026 All-Star Game shifts to a USA vs. World format when it tips Feb. 15 at the Clippers’ Intuit Dome. Coaches will round out rosters with reserve selections announced later.
For Maxey, the nod validates an offseason of work and positions him among the East’s elite as Philadelphia eyes a playoff push.
Key Takeaways
- Maxey’s statistical surge-career highs in points, minutes, threes and steals-propelled him into the starting five
- Philadelphia’s 22-18 record represents a dramatic reversal after last season’s lottery finish
- The 25-year-old’s elevated play has teammates talking superstar status and opponents game-planning for his every move
