On Monday night, Philadelphia 76ers fans held their breath. That was one of those moments when everything just stops and you just know something bad just happened. Tyrese Maxey, the heart and soul of this Sixers team, was on the floor, wincing in pain. He had just taken a brutal fall during Philly’s 119-102 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, and for a team already hanging on by a thread with Joel Embiid and Paul George sidelined, this was the absolute last thing they needed.

It all happened in the third quarter. Maxey, desperate to spark some life into the Sixers’ offense, drove to the basket with the kind of reckless urgency that’s made him a fan favorite. But instead of a highlight-reel finish, he got caught mid-air, collided with two defenders, and came crashing down hard onto his back.

Wells Fargo Center fell into an eerie silence. No one moved. No one cheered. Just a sea of people staring at their star guard, hoping—praying—that it wasn’t as bad as it looked.

At first, no one knew the severity of it. Was it just a painful knock? Or was this the kind of injury that could completely derail the Sixers’ season? Moments later, Maxey was helped up, walking gingerly to the locker room. Soon after, the team ruled him out with a back contusion. Just like that, the game didn’t matter anymore. The only question on everyone’s mind—how bad is it?

The timing couldn’t be worse. Philly’s already been cursed with injuries this season. Embiid has missed 37 games with a knee issue. Paul George hasn’t been fully healthy. All this while, Maxey has been carrying this team on his back—and now, even that back is in question.

The 24-year-old has been an absolute monster this season, playing at an All-Star level and ranking sixth in the NBA in scoring with 26.3 points per game. But here’s the thing—his last two games? They’ve been… weird.

Just a few nights ago, he torched the Knicks for 30 points like it was nothing. Then, out of nowhere, he vanishes. Five points against Miami. Five points against Portland before the injury. Something felt off, and now, looking back, maybe this was the warning sign. Maybe his body was already waving the red flag before it finally gave out.

From a Hot Start to a Brutal Collapse

Despite Maxey’s struggles, the Sixers were actually in control early on. They hit halftime with the lead. Things were looking… okay. But then, like flipping a switch, everything changed.

Portland came out swinging in the third quarter, going on a 14-3 run that completely flipped the game on its head. Philly was reeling, desperate for a spark. And Maxey, being Maxey, decided to take matters into his own hands. Boy, that did not end well for his back!

With Tyrese Maxey gone, Portland smelled blood. They ran away with the game, and what once felt like a winnable night for Philly turned into yet another ugly loss in a season that’s unraveling fast. The Sixers have now lost nine of their last ten games. They’re trailing the Bulls for the final Play-In spot. And with Maxey’s status up in the air, things are looking bleak.

Here’s the real concern: Before this injury, Maxey was averaging 38 minutes per game over 51 games. That’s a lot of wear and tear on a guy who’s been doing everything for this team. Even if it’s “just” a back contusion, backs are tricky. Even a short absence could be devastating to Philly’s playoff hopes.

Now, it’s up to guys like Quentin Grimes and Tobias Harris to step up, but let’s be real—there’s no replacing what Maxey does. For now, all the Sixers can do is wait. One thing is certain, though: If he doesn’t come back soon, this team’s season might be over before it even gets to the playoffs.