Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey has been diagnosed with a tendon injury in his right pinky. He’ll be reevaluated in about three weeks, as announced by the team on Tuesday.
The injury happened during a game against Atlanta. Maxey collided with teammate Adem Bona just before the final seconds, and he immediately grabbed his hand, heading straight to the locker room. Coach Nick Nurse shared that initial X-rays and an MRI revealed no broken bones, but Maxey needs to see hand specialists for further evaluation.
In previous seasons, Maxey also dealt with a sprained pinky. This season, he’s having a standout performance, averaging career highs: 29 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 2 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 61 games. Despite losing four of their last five games, the 76ers managed to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 139-129 on Tuesday night.
“We’re hoping he heals quickly,” Nurse said after the game. Maxey is crucial to the team, especially since they’re also missing Joel Embiid, who is out with a right oblique strain, and Paul George, suspended for 25 games. Without their top players, the team struggles, sitting at eighth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 33-28.
Interestingly, Maxey is the only NBA player this season with over 100 steals and 50 blocks. If he cannot return soon, he may miss out on All-NBA honors due to not meeting the minimum games played requirement. This highlights the pressure on players and teams as they aim for postseason opportunities.
Maxey’s role is significant, given that he leads the league in minutes and distance traveled per game. His current scoring average is the highest for a 76ers guard since the legendary Allen Iverson in 2005-06. As fans and analysts keep an eye on his recovery, it remains to be seen how the team will adjust during this period.
For more insights on player injuries and their impact on team dynamics, you can check resources like ESPN and The Associated Press.
Source link
