Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey will not play for the remainder of the season because of a finger injury, according to reports. Maxey has been sidelined since March 3, initially due to a lower back sprain and subsequently a sprained finger on his right hand, which is now described as a finger tendon injury.
Maxey`s individual stats this season mirrored his performance last year. He averaged 26.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.8 steals in 37.7 minutes per game, leading the league in minutes played. His usage rate was 29.3%, and his true shooting percentage was 56.2%. While his 3-point shooting declined slightly, his midrange shooting improved, and he showed notable progress on defense.
Entering the 2024-25 season, the Sixers had hoped Maxey, Joel Embiid, and newcomer Paul George would form a formidable Big 3 and contend for a championship. However, injuries derailed these plans. Maxey and Embiid shared the court for only 389 minutes across 16 games, and all three played together for just 294 minutes in 15 games. All three are now out for the season, with Embiid recently announcing another knee surgery.
On a positive note, the Sixers` disappointing season has positioned them to potentially secure a top draft pick. They are likely to finish with the fifth-worst record in the league, giving them a significant chance (63.9%) of retaining their top-six-protected first-round pick. Currently with a 23-53 record, they are on a nine-game losing streak and have lost 24 of their last 27 games. They are currently two games behind the Brooklyn Nets in the standings with only a week and a half remaining in the regular season.
Regardless of their draft outcome, the Sixers need to create a more sustainable offensive environment for Maxey. This season, he carried a heavy load in terms of scoring and playing time. If the team is healthier in the 2025-26 season, greater efficiency will be expected from him. Maintaining and improving his defensive contributions will also be crucial for him to play significant minutes alongside promising guard Jared McCain.
McCain, once considered a Rookie of the Year contender, also suffered a season-ending knee injury in December, highlighting the Sixers` unfortunate season.
Jasper Hawthorne