Player grades: Tyrese Maxey leads Joel Embiid-less Sixers past Raptors

The Philadelphia 76ers had a rematch up in Canada when they faced the Toronto Raptors again on Friday to continue the 4-game road trip and they were looking for some positives. After a 1-4 start to the season, the Sixers needed something to feel good about and move forward with.

Shortly before the game started, the Sixers found out they would be without Joel Embiid due to right knee injury recovery so that made their job even tougher on the road. In his place, Tyrese Maxey came to the rescue as he led Philadelphia with a career-high 44 points after a historic first half. He also added eight rebounds and four assists as the Sixers came away with a 112-90 win over the Raptors.

James Harden added 11 points, four rebounds, and four assists, Tobias Harris added 13 points and five rebounds, and De’Anthony Melton had 13 with six assists and five steals in a start. Montrezl Harrell had nine points and Matisse Thybulle added six off the bench while PJ Tucker added five points and five rebounds.

Here are the player grades following the much-needed win:

Without Embiid on the floor, the Sixers played to Harden’s strengths on the offensive end with small ball and allowed him to be a maestro on offense. The ball was moving, The Beard was getting teammates involved, and they played with more pace which is what the Sixers need more of on offense.  In the half-court, he made so many tough buckets against Toronto defenders and that is something Philadelphia needed desperately in this one. The only knock on him was his lack of efficiency as a whole, but with Maxey going nuclear, it wasn’t a huge deal in this one.

With the Sixers having to play small without Embiid, they turned to Maxey for offensive production and he answered the bell in a huge way. He knocked down four triples in the first quarter alone to really set the tone for Philadelphia on offense to begin a career night. All night long, the young man out of Kentucky was absolutely phenomenal on offense and he made things look so easy out there. Even when Embiid does return, they have to find a way to get Maxey the ball more on the offensive end and include him in the game plan. He has to play a heavy role in the offense.

Having Melton in the starting lineup fixed a few issues for Philadelphia on the defensive end. He was bothering Toronto forward Scottie Barnes forcing him into turnovers and he had a few nice plays on the offensive end. He was also big on the glass and he was helpful with his ball movement. The small ball lineup looks like it can be a successful lineup.

Harris wasn’t great in this one, but he was solid. He was able to get some open looks on offense that just wouldn’t fall so that affects his stat line. He was helpful on the defensive end and his energy and effort was infectious for Philadelphia. He does so many positive things for Philadelphia.

Tucker wasn’t great on the defensive end, but he did give a spark on the glass and he also knocked down a corner triple. It’s tough to go small against Toronto because of all the size they possess, but he did battle and set the standard for Philadelphia. He also made so many winning plays that don’t show up in the box score in order to help the Sixers get this one done.

After not playing much in the first five games, Thybulle got the call early in this one and he made an impact. He had a block on Raptors big man Precious Achiuwa and then he drilled not one, but two triples in the opening quarter to give the Sixers some momentum. He was aggressive on the offensive end and he did so many positive things defensively as well. This was a great case for him to earn more minutes on the floor.

When the Sixers turned to Harrell, he was productive in his minutes. He drew an offensive foul and he had a nice move for a bucket around the rim. He also had a few buckets in the second half that were huge. Philadelphia needed all of it as they got some help from the bench in this one.

As usual, Niang entered the game and he knocked down a wing triple. His ability to space the floor is so helpful on the offensive end for this team. He also has improved his ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket.

Milton got a look in the second half and he put in a bucket off a nice cut in his seven minutes of action he was also solid on the defensive end so this was a good game for Milton moving forward.

It was tough sledding for House Jr. again as he wasn’t able to get into a groove. There was one play where he tried drawing a foul on a 3-pointer in the corner, but he instead was called for an offensive foul instead. Just a tough way to begin the season.