A Positive Sign Sixers’ Tyrese Maxey Could Return Soon
When the Philadelphia 76ers return to the court on Friday night to host the New Orleans Pelicans, the team will be without its starting guard, Tyrese Maxey.
After last Sunday’s Sixers win over the Dallas Mavericks, Maxey was entered into the NBA’s concussion protocol. Although Maxey finished the Mavs matchup without leaving early, he experienced delayed concussion symptoms two days later as the 76ers approached their matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.
Maxey was sent home from New York to rest up. As expected, the star guard was ruled out for the game the following evening when the Sixers hosted the Memphis Grizzlies to close out a back-to-back set.
Before the game on Wednesday, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse confirmed Maxey was still dealing with mild symptoms and had some hurdles to clear before the NBA allowed him to return.
On Friday, the Sixers will participate in their third-straight game without Maxey as he remains out with a concussion at this time. While he won’t compete on Friday, there was a positive sign hours before the game tips off as Maxey was spotted getting up shots after the team’s morning shootaround.
Maxey’s timeline for a return is currently unclear. The fact that he was able to put in some light work after the session on Friday is a good sign that he’s moving in the right direction and could potentially be back as soon as the team’s next matchup.
The Sixers will travel to New York once again to face the New York Knicks on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden. If Maxey isn’t able to return that soon, then the next opportunity would come next Tuesday, when the Sixers and the Knicks run it back for a rematch.
For now, Maxey will watch from the side when the Sixers tip off with the Pelicans at 7 PM ET on Friday. Without Maxey, the Sixers have dropped their last two games. They will look to bounce back against New Orleans.
