Philadelphia 76ers star Guard Tyrese Maxey is expected to miss the rest of the 2024-2025 NBA season with a sprained right finger. The injury has kept Maxey on the bench since March 3. The Sixers have been extremely cautious with the 24-year-old’s injury.
With six games left in the NBA season, the 76ers have already been eliminated from playoff contention. Jared Butler will continue as the point guard in the Philadelphia starting lineup. Maxey has averaged 26.3 points and 6.1 assists across 52 games this season.
Sixers Tank Shifts Into High Gear
The Sixers have been focusing on losing as many games as possible since the all-star break. The Oklahoma City Thunder currently hold the Sixers first-round pick. The pick is top 6 protected, however, and the Sixers currently have the fifth-worst record in the NBA. They are two games ahead of Brooklyn, who currently has the sixth-worst record. With six games remaining, there is an outside possibility the Sixers could jump the New Orleans Pelicans for fourth worst. There is little motivation for the Sixers to continue playing Maxey, injured or not.
Trying Season Almost At An End For Sixers
It has been an NBA season to forget in Philadelphia. Joel Embiid played only 19 games and looked like a shadow of himself. Paul George does not look interested in playing competitive basketball in Philadelphia. PG will join the illustrious Sixers free agent bust club alongside Chris Webber, Al Horford, Elton Brand, and everyone’s favorite amateur bowler Andrew Bynum. The only bright spot was rookie guard Jared McCain, but he was hurt before 2024 was over.
Final Thoughts
The Philadelphia 76ers would be crazy to play Maxey again this season. If they can retain their pick from the Thunder, it could be a huge turning point for the organization. They already have two young guards in Maxey and McCain.
If they can add a third young piece in the NBA Draft, it will smooth the eventual transition from an Embiid trade/retirement. They won’t have much money with George’s enormous contract on the books for a few years. Hitting on picks in the NBA Draft will be extremely important in the upcoming 76ers rebuild. Could Cooper Flagg save the Sixers if the lottery goes their way?
