The Philadelphia 76ers continued their strong start to the season after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106 on Thursday in what proved to be a major comeback. However, during the fourth quarter, Tyrese Maxey got into a minor shoving match with the Cavaliers star and former teammate James Harden.

While Maxey downplayed the incident after the game, Stephen A. Smith claimed on ESPN that Maxey’s aggression was also a result of the lack of effort Harden showed during the 2023 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics, which the 76ers lost 4-3. Smith claimed that Maxey had gone to his then-head coach Doc Rivers’ house ‘almost crying.’

However, responding to the claim on X, Maxey said that he had never even been to Rivers’ house.

“Here yall go🫤… I’ve never even been to DOC house 😂,” he wrote.

Here yall go🫤… I’ve never even been to DOC house 😂 https://t.co/sNdCLS9Vrp

— Tyrese Maxey (@TyreseMaxey) October 23, 2026

Smith had suggested that Harden’s lack of effort had prompted Maxey to go to Rivers’ house.

“Remember when they got bounced out in the postseason?” he began. “Remember when James Harden didn't show up? You remember when Tyrese Maxey went to Doc Rivers' crib, damn near crying because he was so damn frustrated with the absence of effort that took place.”

Article Continues Below

Maxey himself had downplayed the incident after the game, claiming “I love him and he loves me.” This is obviously not the first time Smith has been questioned or criticized for him comments, and it may as not well prove to be the last.

Maxey, however, will instead be focused on how well his team has started the season. Philadelphia trailed by as many as 29 points, trailing 69-40 in the second quarter. However, they opened the third quarter with a 10-0 flurry as Maxey led his team with 32 points and six assists. LeBron James notched a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds and also had six assists and three steals.

Both Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown also made major contributions. Embiid had 24 points and seven rebounds while Brown finished with 21 points and eight rebounds as the 76ers finished with a commanding 32-16 quarter to complete what was their largest comeback in franchise history during the NBA's play-by-play era.