76ers Star Tyrese Maxey Makes Honest Statement on Pistons

Maxey praised the Pistons' hard-nosed play and coaching after Detroit's blowout win over Philadelphia.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:19am

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Following the Philadelphia 76ers' blowout loss to the Detroit Pistons, 76ers star Tyrese Maxey gave an honest assessment of the Eastern Conference's top team. Maxey acknowledged the Pistons' hard-nosed play, team chemistry, and strong coaching as key factors in their dominant performance.

Why it matters

The Pistons have continued to excel despite the absence of their star player, Cade Cunningham, showcasing the team's depth and resilience. Maxey's comments highlight the Pistons' status as a formidable opponent in the Eastern Conference playoff race, potentially setting the stage for a postseason matchup between the two teams.

The details

The Pistons, who have a 57-21 record and the top seed in the East, delivered a 116-93 beatdown of the 76ers. Tobias Harris, a former Sixer, led the Pistons with 19 points, while Jalen Duren added 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Daniss Jenkins also recorded a double-double with 16 points and 14 assists.

  • The 76ers and Pistons faced off on Saturday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Tyrese Maxey

A star player for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Tobias Harris

The leading scorer for the Detroit Pistons, who is a former member of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Jalen Duren

A key contributor for the Detroit Pistons, providing 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in the win over the 76ers.

Daniss Jenkins

The Pistons' starting guard, who recorded a double-double with 16 points and 14 assists in the victory.

Cade Cunningham

The Pistons' star player who has been sidelined with a collapsed lung, but the team has continued to excel in his absence.

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What they’re saying

“They play hard, and they play the right way. Today was the first game that I played where they just kind of jumped on us early—kind of gave it to us early. … They are definitely a good team. They played hard, they play the right way, and they play together. Well-coached.”

— Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers Star

What’s next

The 76ers and Pistons could potentially meet in the first round of the playoffs, though it is unlikely. The 76ers are currently trailing the Toronto Raptors by 0.5 games for the sixth seed, while the Miami Heat trails them by 2.0 games. The Pistons will have a couple of weeks to prepare for their first-round opponent.

The takeaway

The Pistons' dominant performance over the 76ers, even without their star player Cade Cunningham, showcases the team's depth, resilience, and strong coaching. Tyrese Maxey's honest assessment of the Pistons highlights their status as a formidable opponent in the Eastern Conference playoff race, potentially setting the stage for an exciting postseason matchup between the two teams.