What initially looked like a fracture in the Sixers’ backcourt swiftly became something completely different. After a leaked sideline audio ignited speculation around Tyrese Maxey, a Philadelphia rookie, finally offered some clarity that shifted the narrative just as fast as it spread.

The tension was high during the December 16 game. The Sixers’ defensive lapse left Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell wide open for a critical three-pointer, his first bucket of the game. Maxey and Edgecombe were immediately caught on camera faulting each other for Spida’s easy shot.

For a second there, the Sixers’ future backcourt looked in trouble. It appeared the Philadelphia 76ers hit a breaking point on Friday night during a narrow 117-115 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. A leaked audio and viral footage of Maxey and Edgecombe’s heated exchange got everyone thinking that it was a brewing locker room beef that escalated on court. But the situation cooled off in less than 48 hours, thanks to a win, the All-Star game, and, funnily enough, another sideline exchange.

The 76ers bounced back by beating the Pacers 113-104 tonight with Joel Embiid contributing 30 points and newly-minted All-Star Maxey adding another 29.

He was in the middle of a sideline interview was crashed by Edgecombe. All the 20-year-old wanted to say was, “For the record, man, we do not hate each other.”

He had his arm around Tyrese’s shoulder, looking like the picture-perfect BFF duo.

Maxey jokingly responded by saying, “I hate you, don’t talk to me ever again, and go in the locker room.”  That’s just Tyrese Maxey’s signature humor. And they really showed they made up with a high-five at the end of that interaction.

In the leaked audio, Maxey apparently lashed out at the third draft pick after Mitchell’s shot. “Where are you going, where?” he was heard saying. VJ replied just as harshly, “You gotta go! You’re telling me I need to drop back?”

From the looks of it, Maxey and VJ were on Craig Porter. The veteran guard wanted the rookie to switch from guarding Mitchell to switch up the defense. VJ initially wanted Maxey to be the one to switch up. But he eventually admitted he didn’t communicate that properly. Head coach Nick Nurse dismissed the idea of a feud after the game.

Following the ‘patch up,’ another major announcement puts Maxey in an elite list for the first-time in his career.

Tyrese Maxey acheives major milestone

The display of friendship was great to see because the Sixers Nation feared the worst. The team has barely recovered from the injury curse, and it was Maxey and Edgecombe who carried them to a 23-18 record thus far. That fight on the sidelines made everyone think that the team’s chemistry had shattered.

Shortly after Friday’s loss, Tyrese Maxey was announced an All-Star starter for the first time in his career, in a breakout 2025-26 season where he’s averaging career-high points over 30 PPG.

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His post buried the narrative of the rift quickly. By Monday, their banter effectively closed all speculation. Now the Sixers can go back to their winning ways.