Tyrese Maxey keeps it real about Kentavious Caldwell-Pope after 76ers win vs. Knicks

NEW YORK — After the Philadelphia 76ers ' longest-tenured player Joel Embiid told Tyrese Maxey he felt something different from within during a 106-100 win against the New York Knicks on Opening Night, the All-Star guard understood what he meant, pointing to the championship experience LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope bring to the table. After his 76ers debut, James said Maxey's speed impressed him most .

While most are quick to point to the 76ers' All-Star additions of James and Brown over the summer as critical, Maxey reminded a reporter of Caldwell-Pope, whom Maxey says is a key voice and veteran with championship experience in the team's locker room.

"We got 3. KCP came, too. That's underrated because his talk is exceptional. And what he's done for this group. He played well tonight. Not just his play, but his talk, his growth as a leader. We're gonna need it," Maxey said. "We're gonna need it throughout the year. And Bron and JB; we know what they do. They brought championship pedigree. We're going to lean on those guys to lead us."

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76ers veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope won a championship alongside LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. For 76ers All-Star Tyrese Maxey, all three bring championship pedigree that matters just as much for Philadelphia this season. For a team that added nine new players with one goal in mind, Maxey isn't overlooking the importance of listening to players who have won it all.

76ers' Jaylen Brown, who led the Celtics to a title in 2024, was named Boston's Finals MVP. After spoiling the Knicks' championship-banner-raising night at Madison Square Garden, the 76ers will host the Cleveland Cavs in their home opener on Wednesday.

Caldwell-Pope finished with 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting, including a pair of threes in the fourth quarter, four rebounds, one assist, and one block. Maxey finished with a game-high 28 points, five assists, four rebounds, three steals, and three blocks in Tuesday's win.