Tyrese Maxey returns to the gym, sharpening “different finishes” as the 76ers chase another title run

Tyrese Maxey is back in the gym, working on “different finishes” as the Philadelphia 76ers look to turn momentum into another deep playoff run. The focus on finishing details matters for a team that has been built around maximizing shot quality and pace, because the margin between good looks and repeatable scoring often comes down to what a perimeter shot-maker can do once the defense closes out.

Maxey, entering year No. 7, is expected to remain a primary offensive engine for Philadelphia. In 2025-26, he averaged 28.3 points and was recognized with an All-Star selection and All-NBA Third Team honors, a stretch that reinforced his role as both a volume scorer and a game-driver. From the team’s perspective, a player producing at that level changes how defenses are allowed to help, and it creates more space for teammates when he attacks with purpose.

The new emphasis described in the latest update is not about simply scoring more, it is about scoring differently. Working on “different finishes” typically indicates a push toward greater variety at the rim, including how a guard handles contact, changes speed through the lane, and converts when defenders anticipate a predictable layup or pull-up. For a player who often plays off pressure and reads, those small skill shifts can be the difference between turning one possession into a high-percentage attempt or forcing a tougher look in the final seconds of a shot clock.

Maxey’s timeline also matters. By year No. 7, the NBA routines have moved past general development and into refinement, and the off-season grind tends to focus on addressing the specific scenarios a player faces most often. For Philadelphia, that means continuing to build a first-option offense that can survive tighter playoff rotations, where even elite scorers see fewer easy windows and must make more “on-the-fly” decisions.

The larger context is that Philadelphia is approaching the next season with championship expectations, and those expectations place extra weight on stars to raise their floor and widen their tool set. Maxey’s reported work in the gym fits that framing, suggesting a deliberate attempt to keep his scoring threat from becoming one-dimensional as scouting becomes more detailed.

What to watch next is whether Philadelphia’s offensive looks reflect a broader finishing package, especially in situations where drives would previously end in contested layups or baseline attempts. If the 76ers can pair that with spacing and ball movement that forces help defenders to commit earlier, Maxey’s variety of finishes could translate into more efficient production during stretches that decide postseason matchups.