Maxey officially probable for Sixers’ Friday night matchup in New Orleans originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
It does not appear that Tyrese Maxey’s next game will need to wait until 2023.
The Sixers officially listed the 22-year-old as probable Thursday night ahead of their Friday matchup with the Pelicans in New Orleans.
Before suffering a left foot fracture on Nov. 18, Maxey averaged 22.9 points, 4.4 assists and 3.5 rebounds. The Sixers have gone 12-6 since Maxey’s injury, improving to 20-13 overall, and the team has appreciated still having him around often.
“He’s here for every practice, every walkthrough, shootaround, meeting,” Georges Niang said on Dec. 18. “Obviously he hasn’t gone on the road trips so he can be here and rehab. But I think the best thing about it is he gets his work in two hours before practice so that he can sit and watch practice.
“I think that just speaks volumes about who he is and what he stands for. He doesn’t want to miss anything that involves the team. He’s going to do his conditioning and work before practice so he can be with us during practice so he doesn’t really miss a beat, which is going to be huge, especially with him coming back after being out for a month or so with his injury.”
Maxey has clearly progressed since that comment by Niang. He watched the Sixers’ Christmas win over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden from the bench, participated in a full-court scrimmage with low-minute players Monday, and took jumpers Tuesday morning before the Sixers’ loss to the Wizards. Maxey practiced with the team Thursday in New Orleans, per The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Gina Mizell.
The joy Maxey exudes is impossible to miss, and his teammates will be happy to see him play again following the first major injury of his career.
“Should be easy,” Joel Embiid said Tuesday night. “We’re not going to force anything. We’re going to let him ease back into it, and I’m sure he’s going to let the game come to him. It’s going to be fun having him back. Obviously he was having a great year before he got hurt, so I’m excited. I think he gives us a different look offensively, so I’m excited to have him back and I think he makes us so much better.”
Sixers head coach Doc Rivers hasn’t dismissed recent questions about Maxey potentially coming off the bench, emphasizing the team considers all options. De’Anthony Melton has been a stellar starter, posting 14.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.5 steals per game with Maxey out.
“When he comes back, we’re not going to throw him right in regardless,” Rivers said last week. “He’s been out a long time and it’s a foot injury. … But we’re open to everything.”
The Sixers will face a hot opponent Friday in the 22-12 Pelicans, who extended their winning streak to four games by beating the Timberwolves on Wednesday. Zion Williamson scored a career-high 43 points and provided fourth-quarter heroics aplenty.
Brandon Ingram is sidelined with a toe injury. New Orleans listed Herbert Jones (return to competition reconditioning) as questionable and Larry Nance Jr. (neck spasms) as doubtful.