76ers vs. Hawks: Tyrese Maxey's Playing Status

The Philadelphia 76ers will continue to roll with a shorthanded backcourt for their Friday night game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Heading into the matchup, the team already anticipated De’Anthony Melton’s absence, which has been a trend for multiple weeks at this point.

In addition to Melton, the Sixers will also roll without the All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey. According to a team official, Maxey is out with an illness on Friday.

The Hawks matchup marks the first absence for Maxey since January 30. At the time, Maxey was nursing an ankle injury, which kept him off the floor for three straight games. When he returned to face the Utah Jazz on February 1, Maxey checked in for 41 minutes, scoring a career-high 51 points.

Over the last four games, Maxey has averaged 25 points and four assists while hitting on 45 percent of his threes. The young guard has been tasked with being the focal point of the Sixers’ offense in the absence of the injured superstar center, Joel Embiid.

With Maxey out of the mix on Friday, the Sixers are expected to start their trade acquisition, Cameron Payne. On Thursday, ahead of the NBA trade deadline, the Sixers agreed to a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks to land Payne and a second-round pick. In exchange, the Sixers sent Patrick Beverley packing.

This season, Payne appeared in 47 games for the Bucks, averaging 15 minutes on the floor. During that time, he produced six points and two assists while hitting 40 percent of his threes. With Maxey and Melton out of the mix, Payne will likely see his playing time double his average for the year.

Meanwhile, Maxey will rest up as he continues to battle an illness.

The Sixers and the Hawks are set to tip-off off at 7 PM ET.