Tyrese Maxey explains that while the Philadelphia 76ers knew Jayson Tatum's absence would make the game harder, they anticipated a free-flowing Celtics offense. He notes that players like Derrick White shot frequently, and some shots were bound to fall. Maxey acknowledges that the game became more difficult without Tatum but emphasizes that the Sixers' focus was on playing their game. The final sentence conveys that the Sixers understood the challenge but were prepared to compete regardless of the circumstances.

Impact: Medium. This provides a direct counterpoint to the narrative that the Celtics' loss was solely due to their own failings, offering a glimpse into the opposing team's mindset. It suggests that while Tatum's absence was a factor, the Sixers were prepared for a tough contest and executed their game plan. The impact is to add a layer of competitive reality to the Celtics' defeat.

In the source video, this keypoint occurs from 00:21:46 to 00:22:16.

Sources in support: Tyrese Maxey (Guest), Joel Embiid (Guest)