Tyrese Maxey is set for an extended absence.
The Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard is suffering from a right little finger tendon injury and will be re-evaluated in three weeks. ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.
The news is a blow to the 76ers as they fight to make the playoffs. The 76ers entered Monday in eighth place in the Eastern Conference at 34-30. They have a 6.5-game lead over the 11th-ranked Milwaukee Bucks (27-36), who would be the first team to miss the play-in tournament if the playoffs started today.
Advertisement
Philadelphia is 1.5 games behind the sixth-ranked Orlando Magic (35-28), who would be the last East team to avoid the play-in and clinch a guaranteed playoff spot.
Maxey is Philadelphia’s most important player and key to the 76ers’ hopes of maintaining their playoff position and postseason success.
In 61 games this season, Maxey is averaging 29 points, 6.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2 steals per game, all career highs. He is shooting 46.1% from the floor and 37.3% from 3.
Over a three-week period, Maxey would miss a minimum of 11 of Philadelphia’s remaining 18 games.
This story will be updated.
