LeBron James and Tyrese Maxey’s bond is strong away from basketball, as shown by their offseason training sessions. Last summer, the two stars and Lakers forward Rui Hachimura were seen working out together. Maxey, who shares the same representation as LeBron, the Klutch Sports Group and Rich Paul, has repeatedly stated how much he appreciates LeBron’s lasting love of basketball.

Recently, LeBron’s activity on social media took on special significance. After Tyrese Maxey delivered an outstanding performance for the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night, LeBron shared the news on his Instagram story. He reposted an image from ESPN highlighting Maxey’s impressive stats: 54 points and 9 assists. Alongside the post, James added his own reaction, writing, “LIL BRO TOO TOUGH!!!!”

The game that garnered much praise was a dramatic overtime victory for the 76ers against the Milwaukee Bucks, with a final score of 123-114. Notably, both teams were without their star players, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo, due to injuries. This placed the entire offensive burden on Tyrese Maxey, a challenge he rose to with a career-best scoring performance.

Maxey scored 54 points, and his contributions went beyond just that; he hit four critical free throws in the final 22.7 seconds of overtime to help secure the win for Philadelphia. Paul George also played a significant role, adding 21 points in only his second game of the season. With this victory, the 76ers improved their record to 9-6.

This remarkable performance is part of a broader breakout season for the sixth-year guard. Maxey is currently ranked second in the league in scoring. He began the season strong, accumulating 150 points in his first four games, marking his emergence as a premier offensive player. His dynamic style of play has made the 76ers a fun and competitive team this season.

A Summer of Learning Pays Off

The foundation for this mutual respect was laid during their shared offseason workouts. Following those sessions, Maxey spoke to reporters about the profound impression LeBron’s work ethic left on him. “Yeah, I think the biggest thing is for me is what I can take from him is just his passion for the game,” Maxey said. He expressed amazement that a player in his 23rd year approached training with the intensity of someone in their fifth season.

Maxey’s appreciation for James runs deep. He admitted he has lost count of how many times they have worked out together. “It’s good work, man,” Maxey noted. “He does a good job of talking and just being vocal and helping. I’m very appreciative of him. He’s done a lot.” This mentorship from one of the game’s all-time greats appears to be paying clear dividends for the younger star.

The on-court history between the two players adds another layer to this story. Just last January, Maxey dropped 43 points on LeBron’s Lakers in a 118-104 win for the 76ers. That performance, which also came in a game where Anthony Davis got injured early, showcased Maxey’s ability to dominate even against a legend he now calls a workout partner and friend.