Key Takeaways
- Tyrese Maxey denied Stephen A. Smith’s claim that he visited Doc Rivers’ home to complain about James Harden, writing, “I’ve never even been to DOC house.”
- Smith linked the alleged visit to lingering resentment from Harden’s 2023 playoff struggles after Maxey and Harden exchanged shoves during Philadelphia’s comeback win over Cleveland.
- Maxey scored 32 points as the Sixers erased a 29-point deficit to win 114-106, while Harden finished with 16 points, five assists and six turnovers.
Tyrese Maxey is calling out Stephen A. Smith over a story the ESPN personality shared about the Philadelphia 76ers guard allegedly visiting Doc Rivers' home to complain about former teammate James Harden.
Maxey took to X on Friday (Oct. 23) to deny Smith's claims, which were made during an episode of First Take.
"Here yall go🫢… I've never even been to DOC house 😂," Maxey wrote.
The response came after Smith suggested that Maxey's heated exchange with Harden during Philadelphia's 114-106 comeback victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday stemmed from lingering frustration dating back to their time together with the Sixers.
During the segment, Smith recalled Philadelphia's disappointing playoff exit against the Boston Celtics in 2023, when the team blew a 3-2 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
"You remember when Tyrese Maxey went to Doc Rivers' crib, damn near crying because he was so damn frustrated for the absence of effort that took place?" Smith said.
"And so last night, it did not escape me that Tyrese Maxey is going nose-to-nose against a former teammate who he once revered… He ain't going to admit it, but I will. You better believe there's some residue from stuff like that."
The comments followed a confrontation between Maxey and Harden during the fourth quarter of Thursday's game.
The former teammates exchanged shoves and stood face-to-face after Harden appeared to take issue with Maxey's defense. Harden grabbed at Maxey's jersey before officials and teammates stepped in to separate them.
Despite the confrontation, Maxey led Philadelphia to victory with 32 points on 12-of-23 shooting, helping the Sixers overcome a 29-point deficit.
Harden, meanwhile, finished with 16 points, five assists and six turnovers while receiving boos from the Philadelphia crowd throughout the night.
The two guards previously played together in Philadelphia before Harden's relationship with the organization deteriorated following the 2023 postseason.
Although Harden scored more than 40 points in Games 1 and 5 against Boston, he struggled in the final two games, scoring a combined 22 points on 7-of-27 shooting.
Philadelphia ultimately lost the series, and Harden was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers that November after publicly accusing then-team president Daryl Morey of being a liar.
Maxey and Harden are scheduled to face each other again on November 6.
