76ers Face Playoff Peril as Tyrese Maxey's Injury Hits Hard
The Philadelphia 76ers have faced a downward spiral recently, losing eight of their last 12 games, which has put them in a precarious position for the playoffs. Currently holding a record of 34-30, they are just one game ahead of the Atlanta Hawks, the No. 9 seed, and three games above the Charlotte Hornets, who are at No. 10. Adding to their woes, star point guard Tyrese Maxey will be sidelined for at least three weeks due to a tendon injury in his right pinkie finger. This timeline suggests he might miss a significant portion of March, with the team not having a clear picture of his return. Upcoming games for the 76ers include: vs. Memphis (Tuesday night) @ Detroit vs. Brooklyn vs. Portland @ Denver @ Sacramento @ Utah vs. Oklahoma City vs. Chicago @ Charlotte @ Miami With Paul George also out and Joel Embiid uncertain, the 76ers face a daunting schedule, particularly against teams like Detroit, Portland, Denver, and Oklahoma City. On the flip side, the Oklahoma City Thunder stand to gain from Maxey's absence. They own the 76ers' first-round pick, provided it falls outside the top four, and could benefit significantly if Philadelphia struggles in the Play-In Tournament. Moreover, Maxey's chances for an All-NBA selection are in jeopardy. Currently averaging 29 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game, he has already missed three games this season and will miss at least 11 more. If he fails to return promptly, his eligibility for the prestigious award diminishes, which would be a substantial loss for the young star.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-03-11