Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey has firmly denied rumors regarding a supposed emotional confrontation with former head coach Doc Rivers concerning the playoff performance of former teammate James Harden.
The dispute stems from claims made by commentator Stephen A. Smith, who alleged that Maxey visited Rivers’ private residence following the 76ers’ 2023 postseason exit. Smith suggested that Maxey was in a state of significant distress—described as being “damn near crying”—while expressing frustration over Harden’s perceived lack of effort during a critical playoff loss to the Boston Celtics.
Maxey addressed the speculation directly on Friday, dismissing the narrative as entirely fabricated. He specifically noted that the alleged meeting could not have taken place as described because he has never visited the former coach’s home. “I’ve never even been to [Rivers’] house,” Maxey stated in response to the report.
The clarification follows a tense Thursday night matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers, which saw the 76ers orchestrate a massive 29-point comeback to secure a 114-106 victory. The contest was marked by a physical altercation between Maxey and Harden during the fourth quarter. The two players were seen shoving each other on the court before officials and other players intervened to separate them.
Maxey led the 76ers’ effort in the win, logging a team-high 32 points over 42 minutes of play. In contrast, Harden struggled in the loss, finishing with 16 points, five assists, and six turnovers. Throughout the game at Xfinity Mobile Arena, Harden was met with consistent booing from the Philadelphia crowd, reflecting a relationship that remains fractured years after his departure from the organization.
The friction between the players and the franchise dates back to the 2023 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics. While Harden delivered two standout performances in that series—scoring over 40 points in both Game 1 and Game 5—his production plummeted in the deciding matches. In Games 6 and 7, the 11-time All-Star combined for just 22 points on 7-of-27 shooting, including a 1-of-11 mark from three-point range, while recording 10 turnovers and 16 assists.
Game 7 of that series served as Harden’s final appearance in a 76ers uniform. His exit was marked by a public and acrimonious falling out with the front office, during which he openly labeled Daryl Morey, the president of basketball operations, a “liar.” While Harden was eventually traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in November 2023, the current reporting places him in the lineup for the Cavaliers during Thursday’s loss to Philadelphia.
The recent on-court spat and the subsequent rumors regarding past locker room tensions underscore the lingering narrative surrounding Harden’s tenure in Philadelphia and the emergence of Maxey as a central figure in the 76ers’ current roster.
