Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey will be sidelined for at least three weeks after suffering a tendon injury in the small finger of his right hand, the team confirmed on Tuesday.
Maxey sustained the injury during the closing moments of Philadelphia’s 126-116 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. The incident occurred with just 16 seconds remaining in the game when he collided with teammate Adem Bona.
Initial signs had suggested the injury might not be serious. Ahead of the team’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, head coach Nick Nurse revealed that early tests showed no fractures in Maxey’s hand.
The guard underwent X-rays and an MRI scan, both of which confirmed there were no broken bones. However, further evaluation determined that the tendon injury would keep him out of action for at least three weeks.
“No breaks,” Nurse said Monday. “Now, he’s got to see the hand specialists to figure out what’s next.”
Maxey had already been ruled out of Tuesday’s game in which Philadelphia hosted Memphis, and the latest diagnosis means the team will have to cope without one of its most important players for an extended stretch.
The injury is particularly concerning because it involves the same finger Maxey sprained last season. Nurse acknowledged that the previous issue adds to the level of caution surrounding the current setback.
Maxey has been one of the standout performers in the NBA this season. The sixth-year guard leads the league with 1,767 total points and is enjoying the most productive campaign of his career. In 61 games so far, he is averaging 29 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game.
His absence could have a significant impact on the 76ers as they navigate a crucial phase of the season. Philadelphia has slipped out of the Eastern Conference’s top six playoff positions and currently sits eighth in the standings.
Despite the setback, Nurse indicated that Maxey’s mindset remains positive as he begins the recovery process.
“He seems OK and his spirits are good,” Nurse said. “He wants to be back, but he’s got to see these people before we take the next step.”
With Maxey expected to miss several key games, the 76ers will now look to other members of the roster to step up while their leading scorer works toward his return.
