The Philadelphia 76ers received more bad news this week as Tyrese Maxey is expected to miss at least two weeks with a hamstring injury.
This news comes right as the Sixers were expected to debut their new “Big 3” of Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George. What makes matters worse is that the Sixers are off to a league-worst 1-6 record to start the season and need to start winning games now.
Maxey has been the Sixers’ best player this season and the main reason they’ve been at all competitive without Embiid and George in the lineup. Maxey was averaging a team- and career-high 27.6 points this season, so his absence will be felt immediately.
For Sixers fans, this is just another piece of negative news that has marred the start of their 2024-25 season.
This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. Entering the season, hopes were high after the Sixers won the NBA offseason by grabbing George in free agency, but from there, things quickly turned dark.
Embiid and George were both unable to start the season due to injury. Then, there was the NBA investigation and subsequent fine for their improper disclosing of those injuries. Then, Embiid got in an altercation with a Philadelphia reporter and was suspended. The cherry on top is their young star, Maxey, who was supposed to be the steady force keeping the shaky Sixers afloat, is now hurt.
Should the Sixers panic? It may still be early in the season to go into full hysteria. Embiid is set to return next week and George has looked solid in his first two games in a Sixers uniform.
On top of that, Maxey has a solid backup in veteran guard Kyle Lowry. Lowry has certainly declined in recent years but has a long pedigree of being an elite NBA point guard. He should be able to fill in for some of Maxey’s production.
If Embiid returns healthy and playing at an MVP level, the Sixers can survive this Maxey injury. The Eastern Conference has been a historically easier path in recent years, and although the Sixers currently sit at the bottom, they should be able to climb their way back into the playoff picture.