Tyrese Maxey is out
The Philadelphia 76ers are already missing one star without 2022-23 NBA MVP, Joel Embiid.
However, they will also be without guard Tyrese Maxey on Tuesday night, as they prepare to face the Brooklyn Nets in the final game of a brief road trip. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey, Maxey has returned to Philadelphia to be evaluated for concussion-like symptoms. Pompey adds that Maxey began experiencing symptoms within the past 24 hours.
Tyrese Maxey’s concussion may cause him to miss several games.
Tyrese Maxey collided with Derrick Jones Jr.’s lower leg as he drove to the lane in the third quarter of the Sixers’ game against the Dallas Mavericks, falling to the court. He did not have any symptoms during or after the game on Sunday. Still, it was evident from the first blow that the impact had unsettled him.
Should a concussion be diagnosed, he might miss several games.
Although Maxey’s recovery from the head injury is not predetermined, he must complete a number of procedures in accordance with NBA policy before he can return to the field. Furthermore, Maxey must wait at least 48 hours following the diagnosis before engaging in any basketball-related activity. It would therefore be unexpected to see him back before the end of this week. Thirteen players have missed a total of thirty-one games due to concussion symptoms this season.
On March 6 and March 8, respectively, the Philadelphia 76ers will play the Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Sixers’ Reliance on Tyrese Maxey
The Philadelphia 76ers have been comparatively healthy for the entirety of the 2023–24 season, to be honest. But without Joel Embiid, they dropped in the Eastern Conference rankings. Tyrese Maxey’s concussion is now a problem, and by the end of the week, the Sixers might drop much lower. Philadelphia, which is in fifth place in the East, leads the eighth-place Indiana Pacers by just two games.
Based on his current average of 26.0 points and 6.3 assists per game, Maxey is predicted to be a nominee for the 2024 Most Improved Player award. Just those figures indicate how crucial he is to their chances of success. However, Maxey’s significance is further accentuated when one realizes that he assists for 16.0 points per game and scores 42.0 points overall.
But there might be a few unexpected performances from important players in Philadelphia.
After joining the squad in February, 18-year veteran Kyle Lowry has become a starter, thus a classic performance from him may be in store. Kelly Oubre Jr., a dynamic wing, scored 20.3 points per game on average for the Charlotte Hornets in the previous campaign. Buddy Hield, one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, finished the five seasons before 2023–24 with an average of 17.8 points per game. Over the last five seasons, Tobias Harris—who is often underappreciated—has averaged 18.1 points per game.
The Sixers may avoid putting themselves in play-in competition instead of staying in postseason contention if they can get the most out of their supporting group.