After a shaky start with just one victory against the Pacers this season, the Philadelphia 76ers are now facing another challenge. Tyrese Maxey had been one of the brightest stars for the 76ers this season, stepping up in a big way while All-Stars Joel Embiid and Paul George were sidelined. His scoring, energy, and leadership helped keep the team afloat despite their early struggles. However, Maxey’s recent hamstring soreness ultimately caught up with him.

Maxey had been dealing with hamstring discomfort for some time, wanting to power through the injury to keep his team competitive. But in Wednesday’s loss to the LA Clippers, the injury flared up, forcing Maxey to exit the game. He had contributed 12 points in 32 minutes before being pulled, a sign of just how hard he had been pushing himself.

With the latest injury setback, Maxey is “out” and is expected to miss a couple of weeks, as per Shams Charania. This puts the 76ers in a tough spot. His absence is a huge blow to a team already struggling to find consistency. As the team braces for his extended recovery, their playoff hopes are now in serious jeopardy. With that said, ESPN’s Shams Charania has some updates. He says, “I am told that Tyrese Maxey will have a full evaluation later today, but the sides are bracing for the miss about a couple of weeks with this hamstring injury. He is a guy that wants to play through everything, but he will need to take his time. This is a soft tissue injury, the Sixers are going to take this very, very seriously.” 

He further states, “I spoke to his agent, which is Rich Paul and Klutch Sports, and they will make sure that he is going be 100% when he comes back to the court.” Well, now that’s a good update but can they remain competitive without their rising star?

Injuries and suspensions: Can the 76ers hold it together without Maxey and Embiid?

Tyrese Maxey has been a key figure for the 76ers this season, stepping up when the team needed him most. Maxey carried the offensive load, emerging as a leader and putting up impressive numbers. His contributions kept the 76ers in the hunt, even when things looked bleak.

In games throughout October and November, Maxey posted several high-scoring performances, averaging 27.5 points per game in November alone, with strong shooting splits—48.8% from the field and 43.5% from three. He carried the team in crucial matchups, including a 45-point game against the Pacers and several more 30+ point outings. His ability to score in multiple ways, whether driving to the basket or knocking down shots from deep, made him indispensable to the team. Maxey also provided energy and leadership on both ends of the floor, stepping into a demanding but necessary role.

But now, the 76ers face a new challenge. With Maxey out for a couple of weeks and Embiid suspended for three games due to a physical altercation with a reporter, the team’s situation has become even more dire. Embiid’s suspension adds more pressure on the remaining players, as the 76ers will have to rely on players like Caleb Martin and Andre Drummond to step up in the absence of two of their biggest stars.

Can the 76ers stay competitive and keep their playoff hopes alive without both of their cornerstones? Will the supporting cast rise to the occasion, or will this stretch expose their lack of depth? The next few weeks will be pivotal.