The Philadelphia 76ers acquired extra dangerous information this week as Tyrese Maxey is anticipated to overlook a minimum of two weeks with a hamstring harm.
This information comes proper because the Sixers had been anticipated to debut their new “Huge 3” of Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George. What makes issues worse is that the Sixers are off to a league-worst 1-6 file to begin the season and want to begin successful video games now.
Maxey has been the Sixers’ greatest participant this season and the primary purpose they have been in any respect aggressive with out Embiid and George within the lineup. Maxey was averaging a team- and career-high 27.6 factors this season, so his absence can be felt instantly.
For Sixers followers, that is simply one other piece of destructive information that has marred the beginning of their 2024-25 season.
This wasn’t how issues had been presupposed to go. Getting into the season, hopes had been excessive after the Sixers received the NBA offseason by grabbing George in free company, however from there, issues shortly turned darkish.
Embiid and George had been each unable to begin the season resulting from harm. Then, there was the NBA investigation and subsequent positive for his or her improper disclosing of these accidents. Then, Embiid obtained in an altercation with a Philadelphia reporter and was suspended. The cherry on high is their younger star, Maxey, who was presupposed to be the regular power conserving the shaky Sixers afloat, is now harm.
Ought to the Sixers panic? It could nonetheless be early within the season to enter full hysteria. Embiid is ready to return subsequent week and George has appeared stable in his first two video games in a Sixers uniform.
On high of that, Maxey has a stable backup in veteran guard Kyle Lowry. Lowry has definitely declined in recent times however has a protracted pedigree of being an elite NBA level guard. He ought to have the ability to fill in for a few of Maxey’s manufacturing.
If Embiid returns wholesome and taking part in at an MVP degree, the Sixers can survive this Maxey harm. The Jap Convention has been a traditionally simpler path in recent times, and though the Sixers presently sit on the backside, they need to have the ability to climb their means again into the playoff image.