With Paul George and Joel Embiid both sidelined, the Philadelphia 76ers are facing a tough challenge—can Tyrese Maxey keep them afloat or will the injury bug derail their season?

Paul George is back on the Sixers’ injury list, and fans are holding their breath. It’s been a rollercoaster season for PG in Philly, with the veteran forward set to miss his 15th game of the season tonight against the Lakers. The latest culprit? A left pinky finger injury that he picked up during the Sixers’ win over the Bulls.

In case you missed it, George jammed his pinky while tussling with Nikola Vucevic for a rebound. He left the game early. PhillyVoice’s Adam Aaronson confirmed that George’s MRI results are still being reviewed. With no official return timeline yet, Sixers fans might need to stay patient.

Here come even worse pieces of information. The Philadelphia 76ers will face a double challenge tonight without their star center Joel Embiid and his persistent knee issue. The absence of Joel Embiid now places the rest of the team in a position to defend LeBron James and the Lakers.

Sixers’ Injury Report: No Stars, Big Problems

It’s not just George and Embiid missing from the Sixers’ lineup tonight. The team is also dealing with depth issues caused by other injuries. The most recent update confirms that George is sidelined as he continues recovering from his left pinky injury. This injury forced him to leave the game against the Bulls early. The MRI results are still pending, leaving his exact return date unclear.

With George out, the Sixers are without their star scorer. The team will be looking for others to step up in his absence. Joel Embiid, Philly’s MVP candidate, will also miss the game due to his knee injury. This ongoing issue continues to affect him. Embiid’s absence has been a big loss for the team, and now, with George also out, the Sixers’ Big 3 is down to just Tyrese Maxey.

This season Maxey shows sensational play. He will face increased responsibility since both Embiid and George currently remain out of action. Supporters pray this injury situation will not disrupt the team’s current winning trajectory throughout their difficult upcoming schedule.

Additionally, Danuel House Jr. is listed as day-to-day due to a groin issue, Drummond, C. Martin, and K. Martin are out. Guerschon Yabusele (right knee swelling) is listed as probable. This further complicates the Sixers’ depth problems. Facing a tough opponent like the Lakers, the team will need to dig deep to secure a win.

George’s season so far has been a mixed bag. He is averaging 17.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 30 games. However, his shooting has been inconsistent. Still, his 36.5% from three and clutch playmaking have been bright spots. Meanwhile, Embiid’s absence continues to weigh heavily on the Sixers. Without their anchor on both ends of the floor, the team has struggled.

What’s Next for the Sixers?

Following a further reduction of their core trio to just one playable member Tyrese Maxey will need to propel his team forward on his own. The basketball star has delivered an electric display in recent games. His 31-point game against the Suns joins his current 26.6 average scoring performance in the current season. Maxey competes at high speeds while maintaining impressive scoring abilities which create serious challenges for opposing defensive teams. The Lakers defense needs to maintain tough strategies to stop their opponent.

The Sixers have a back-to-back at the Wells Fargo Center this week. The Kings are set to roll into town after the Lakers. The team is hopeful that George’s MRI results will bring good news. They are also counting on Embiid’s recovery to stay on track. A fully healthy Sixers squad could spell trouble for the league. Until then, the focus remains on surviving the grind.

No Embiid. No PG. Can Tyrese Maxey be enough to take down LeBron and AD? While Sixers fans anxiously wait for updates on their stars, Maxey’s show-stopping performances might be the silver lining in Philly’s injury cloud.