27.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. This is what the Sixers will be missing for at least the next 5 matchups, as Tyrese Maxey will be sidelined, after a right hamstring injury in the Clippers battle last night. By the time the third quarter was close to a finish, the 5-year guard was seen favoring his right hamstring. He soon left the game, and it was later confirmed he wouldn’t return. He finished with 12 points—the lowest score in the 7 games he’s played.

As per Keith Pompey’s latest update, “Tyrese Maxey’s MRI confirmed he has a strained right hamstring. He is out and will be re-evaluated in approximately one week.”

This news couldn’t have come at a worse time. Philly, supposed to be like the Celtics last season, or at least close to it, having splurged on Paul George in the off-season, currently ranks the last in the East at 1-6. That’s way too far from what we have hoped to see from them. But then again, their start to the 2024-25 season in itself was a chaotic affair.

From Joel Embiid missing all preseason games and sitting out the season opener against Milwaukee, to his comments about skipping back-to-backs, followed by an altercation with Marcus Hayes that led to a 3-game suspension, things have only gotten less than ideal with the latest Tyrese Maxey news.

It was particularly disheartening for all of us waiting expectantly for that Big-3 debut of PG, Embiid, and Maxey on the floor. Clearly, that has taken a backseat for now.

The 76ers have a Tyrese Maxey dilemma as the young guard poised to miss Joel Embiid’s regular-season debut

The major reason the franchise has listed for keeping ‘The Process’ off the floor was left knee injury management. Going forward, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 7x All-Star continue to sit out on account of load management. Daryl Morey & Co. are intent on keeping their superstar center in prime condition for a deep playoff run. That’s if they make it!

After all, they walked into this season, looking every bit like a title contender with their near-perfect roster.

Near-perfect because at the end of the day, the star they have and the one they got are notorious for being injury-prone. Right now, though, Embiid’s Clippers debut had to be pushed to the team’s matchup against the Knicks. He would have served his suspension by then. But Tyrese will still be missing.

Going by the 5-game absence, we can expect the 2024 Most Improved Player to be back for the Heat matchup. A minor hamstring strain can heal within a few days to 1-2 weeks. Anyway, we will know more after his re-evaluation in a week. Where does that leave the Sixers, though?

Kyle Lowry, with 18 seasons under his belt, sums up the current situation aptly. “It’s really dark right now, in terms of us and how we’re playing and not winning.” 

As the Philadelphia 76ers navigate this early season adversity, it remains to be seen how they will adjust without two key pieces, with the hope that Tyrese Maxey’s return and Joel Embiid’s eventual full-strength roster can steer them back on track.