Tyrese Maxey, Sixers Won't Focus On Celtics, Hawks Right Now

The Philadelphia 76ers were the first team to punch their ticket to the second round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. After facing the sixth-seeded Brooklyn Nets in the first round, the Sixers took care of business with ease.

Two games at home resulted in victories before hitting the road for the first time in the postseason. The following two games on the road in Brooklyn had similar results, even when the Sixers missed their MVP-caliber big man Joel Embiid in Game 4 last weekend.

After firing off four-straight wins, the Sixers clinched a spot in the second round of the playoffs. Now, they are sitting back and waiting to find out who they will face.

For the last three days, the Sixers participated in practice sessions to stay in shape for the second round. However, it’s been difficult for them to focus on preparing for a specific team. Are the Sixers thinking about facing the Boston Celtics, who hold the 3-2 lead in the series against the Atlanta Hawks? Or are they mixing in prep for both teams?

76ers’ Second-Round Schedule Scenarios

According to Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey, neither team is on their mind right now.

“I think the biggest thing we can do right now is focus on the Sixers,” said Maxey, according to Sixers Wire’s Ky Carlin. “Like that’s the biggest thing, honestly.”

On Tuesday, the Hawks paid a visit to the Celtics for Game 5. With their backs against the wall, the Hawks leaned on their star guard Trae Young to make up for the void of the suspended Dejounte Murray and lead Atlanta to a shocking victory to avoid elimination.

Once the Hawks defeated the Celtics, they forced a Game 6 and left the Sixers waiting. Philadelphia head coach Doc Rivers made it clear that he doesn’t care who the Sixers will face in the second round. That mindset has spread throughout his team as the Sixers are focused on becoming the best version of themselves, as that would be the key to them beating anybody in front of them.

"Even [on Wednesday], we got to play a little bit against each other, which is really good,” Maxey continued, per Carlin. “We got to focus on our brand of basketball. How we want to play, no matter which team we’re playing against, how we want to play every single night. That’s the biggest thing for us right now.”

The Celtics and the Hawks will meet for Game 6 on Thursday. A Boston win locks in a Sixers-Celtics series, which would begin next Monday. An Atlanta victory would force a Game 7 on Saturday.

In the meantime, the Sixers will continue fine-tuning themselves. And eventually, they’ll be able to sprinkle some preparation for their eventual opponent into the mix.