Sunday stats: Unpacking Sixers lineup and on-off data after 15 games, with a focus on Tyrese Maxey

The Philadelphia 76ers have navigated the first 15 games of their 2025-26 season, and with that comes an examination of how head coach Nick Nurse constructs his rotations. At the heart of this discussion is Tyrese Maxey, who has been nothing short of phenomenal.

Maxey's incredible scoring ability – a league-high 33.4 points per game – makes him nearly unstoppable alongside VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes. The trio's three-guard lineup has proven electric from the get-go, with Maxey driving the success of this combination more than anyone else. However, it is not just Maxey who deserves praise; Edgecombe has also surpassed expectations in his rookie season.

But what makes this trio truly special is Grimes, the 6-foot-5 guard who must slide up to the wing and guard well above his size. Despite some limitations defending NBA wings, Nurse has consistently trusted Grimes to defend high-profile players in crunch time. Grimes' ability to guard elite scorers like Jaylen Brown and Khris Middleton has been invaluable.

Grimes' own game is built on aggression, with him always trying to attack the rim and create for himself and others. When asked about his defensive approach, Grimes said, "I'm just trying to win. I want my team to win. I feel like when I'm aggressive, when the team's aggressive, when everyone's in attack mode, it kind of puts the defense on their heels."

As the Sixers look to continue their success without Kelly Oubre Jr., who will miss at least two weeks with a knee sprain, Grimes' increased role as a small forward is no surprise. Nurse has flirted with starting Grimes alongside Maxey and Edgecombe in second halves, and it's only a matter of time before this lineup becomes the standard.

When Maxey sits, however, the Sixers struggle mightily. Their net rating drops to -10.3 in these situations, highlighting just how much Embiid's presence on the court can alleviate this issue. But with Embiid's own knee issues putting him at a defensive disadvantage, it's unclear whether the 76ers have found a sustainable solution.

Despite this, Maxey's incredible talent has propelled the Sixers to a remarkable level of success. His career-high 54-point performance against Milwaukee showcases his impressive all-around game. However, as the season progresses, it will be crucial for Nurse to strike a balance between giving Maxey ample playing time and developing other players.

For now, Grimes remains the key to making this lineup compatible for all parties involved. With Grimes' aggressive approach and ability to guard above his size, he has been the Sixers' best late-game player this season. As the team looks to build around their burgeoning superstar guard, it's clear that Grimes will continue to be a vital cog in the machine.

the 76ers have got some serious talent with Maxey and Edgecombe, but let's not forget Grimes is the glue that holds them together his ability to guard above his size is unreal, especially when he slides up to wing and defends high-profile players in crunch time. nurse needs to keep trusting him to make this lineup work seamlessly maxey gets a lot of attention with those 33.4 points per game, but grimes is the one who makes it all click on defense

Ugh gotta say, I'm low-key terrified about Tyrese Maxey's playing time. Like, what happens when he sits? The Sixers' net rating drops to -10.3! That's crazy bad . And with Embiid's own knee issues, it's unclear if they've found a sustainable solution. This is why I always get anxious whenever I watch the playoffs .

I think VJ Edgecombe is getting some love from fans but honestly he's still kinda quiet . I mean we all know Maxey and Grimes are carrying the team on offense, but what about defense? Edgecombe has been solid at times, but how reliable is he in crunch time? Grimes talks a good game about being aggressive, but can he really get it done when it matters most? The Sixers have to find that balance or they'll fall apart .

granted VJ Edgecombe is on fire but im not sure how long maxey can keep up this pace? 33.4 points per game is insane, but at what cost to his body? and thats where grimes comes in, he's the unsung hero of this team, always trying to attack the rim and create for others

the thing with nick nurse is that he's all about finding that balance between giving maxey enough time and developing other players. i get it, maxey is a superstar but what happens when he gets hurt? do the sixers have another plan in place?

The thing is, VJ Edgecombe's rise as a rookie is definitely a promising sign for the Sixers, but let's not forget about how much Maxey relies on Grimes to step up his game when he sits down . Their three-guard lineup has been electric so far, and I'm curious to see if they can sustain it throughout the season without Embiid . Also, I think Nurse needs to work on finding a balance between giving Maxey playing time and developing other players like Grimes and Edgecombe . It's gonna be interesting to watch how the team navigates this lineup dynamic

You see, this whole thing about Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe is like a lesson on teamwork and complementary skills . It's easy to get distracted by one star player (Maxey), but it's the guys who step up and do their jobs that really make the team tick (Edgecombe) . And then you've got Quentin Grimes, playing above his size, being like the ultimate #3 . The key takeaway here is that balance is everything, especially when you're building around a superstar. You gotta give some guys time to shine and develop their own skills while still letting the team's best player be the star of the show .

I'm hyped for the 76ers but I gotta say, Tyrese Maxey is just on another level . The way he's carrying this team is crazy and VJ Edgecombe has been pretty solid too. But what really gets me is Quentin Grimes' growth this season - the guy's a beast at the wing position . I love how Nurse trusts him to guard high-profile players in crunch time, it shows he believes in his abilities.

At the same time, I'm getting a little worried about the team's balance with Maxey on the court. When he sits, their net rating drops significantly and that's just not sustainable. They need to figure out how to develop other players so they're not relying too much on Maxey. Grimes is key to this, though - his aggression and defensive prowess make him a vital cog in this lineup.

I'm excited to see how the 76ers navigate their role changes with Kelly Oubre Jr. out, but I gotta wonder if they've found a long-term solution yet . Can they balance Maxey's playing time with Grimes' increased role and still find success? We'll just have to wait and see!

I'm loving how Nurse is trusting Grimes with big defensive matchups . It's not always easy for guys like him to step up and perform, but he's really showing his skills this season . His ability to attack the rim and create for others is exactly what the 76ers need to complement Maxey's scoring . And you're right, when Embiid sits, their net rating plummets ... that's gotta change if they wanna stay on top!

So I'm lovin' how far Tyrese Maxey has come already, his stats are insane but we gotta keep an eye on the bigger picture here. The Sixers have been lookin' pretty good so far but with Kelly Oubre Jr. out and Embiid's knee issues, it's gonna be a wild ride. I'm glad VJ Edgecombe is killin' it in his rookie season tho And Grimes is straight fire his ability to guard above size is so underrated. The thing that's got me thinkin' though is when Maxey sits, the team goes downhill fast we need some other players step up their game ASAP. Can't rely on just one guy no matter how talented Nurse gotta find a way to balance it out and make sure everyone's gettin' their fair share of time on the court

I'm loving how Tyrese Maxey is taking over on offense , but we gotta talk about VJ Edgecombe's breakout rookie season ! Nurse needs to find a way to balance Maxey's minutes with developing other players . It's like the government is trying to create economic growth by expanding social programs, you need to have a solid foundation of players supporting your superstar ️.

And let's not forget Quentin Grimes' defensive prowess ! He's like the bipartisan politician who brings people together - he can guard above his size and still make plays on offense . The 76ers' late-game strategy is all about finding that balance, just like how a good compromise in politics can bring everyone to the table .

But what really gets me thinking is how this lineup will hold up when Embiid returns from injury . Nurse needs to find a way to make Maxey and Grimes coexist without letting their individual greatness overshadow the team's overall performance . It's like navigating the complexities of healthcare reform - you gotta have a solid plan in place before you can start implementing changes .

One thing's for sure, though: Grimes is the X-factor that makes this lineup tick ! If Nurse can keep trusting him to guard high-profile players and thrive on offense, we might just see the Sixers make a deep playoff run .

Wow! This trio of Maxey, Edgecombe, and Grimes is straight fire ! Interest

idk why ppl still dont give Quentin Grimes enough props he's literally holding down the fort on D and creating for his teammates, meanwhile Maxey gets all the hype gotta start giving credit where credit is due the 6'5" grimes has got game now if only Nurse could find a way to keep the other guys healthy...

I'm loving how Grimes is stepping up and becoming that clutch guy for the 76ers ! His willingness to attack the rim and take on bigger players like Jaylen Brown is a game-changer, especially when Nurse trusts him to defend high-profile scorers. It's cool to see him develop into his role beyond just scoring – his defense has improved significantly since last season . But it's also clear that Maxey is carrying a lot of weight right now, and if Embiid's knee issues persist, the 76ers will need to find ways to balance their rotation without sacrificing too much on D . Still, with Grimes at the helm, I think they've got a good shot at making it all the way !

The question is what happens when Maxey takes shots? He's got 33.4 points per game but defense is key here. If he's not playing D, it doesn't matter how good his offense is. And Grimes has been doing a lot of work to cover for him...

I'm loving how the 76ers are finding ways to get Tyrese Maxey involved in the game . The three-guard lineup with VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes is straight fire , and it's not surprising they're getting so much success from it. But what I find really interesting is how much Grimes has stepped up his game this season . The way he's able to guard bigger scorers like Jaylen Brown and Khris Middleton is insane . And that quote about being aggressive and trying to win? So true, man .

I think the key for Nurse now is finding a balance between giving Maxey time and developing other players . It's not like Grimes is going to be able to carry this team all season by himself . But at the same time, they can't just sit him out when Maxey gets tired either . I'm excited to see how Nurse navigates this situation and finds a way for everyone to thrive .

the 76ers are killin it this season with maxey leadin the way, but VJ edgecombe is really stepin up his game too and grimes at small forward is lookin like a genius move the key is keepin him on the court with maxey & edgecombe, but we gotta see how they handle when maxey sits out net rating drops to -10.3 in those situations, so that's somethin to watch. anyway, grimes' ability to guard above his size and just be aggressive all over the place is what's makin this lineup special

They gotta figure out how 2 balance Maxey's minutes w/ developing other players . I mean, he's on fire but Nurse can't just ride the Tyrese train all season. Edgecombe's having a sick rookie year tho and Grimes is doing his thing at SG. The question is, how do they keep it up w/ Embiid's health being sketchy?

The trio of Maxey, Edgecombe, and Grimes is like fire and ice - they complement each other so well . Grimes' ability to adapt and guard bigger guys is insane, and I'm loving how Nurse trusts him to step up his game . With Embiid's defensive struggles, it's great to see the team having a go-to guy like Grimes who can bring that intensity ️. But for real though, can someone please explain why Maxey doesn't get to sit when he's struggling? His career-high 54-point performance was insane, but if he's gonna be the main man, we need to see more of Edgecombe and Grimes in lineups without him .

I think the key to the Sixers' success is Grimes' willingness to step up and defend against top scorers . I mean, the guy's 6-foot-5, but he's gotta guard Jaylen Brown and Khris Middleton? That's huge . And it's not just about defense, either - Grimes' ability to create for himself and others on offense is underrated. He's always attacking the rim and finding ways to get his teammates involved .

But what really gets me is how much Maxey relies on Grimes when he's playing well . I mean, it's like they're two peas in a pod - they both love to attack and make plays . And when Embiid sits, the Sixers struggle big time . So yeah, let's give it up for Grimes - he's the real MVP right now . What do you guys think?