Shams: NBA Investigating 76ers About Tyrese Maxey, Paul George Missing Games
The NBA is investigating the Philadelphia 76ers regarding multiple recent games missed by the team's stars, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
"I'm told the Philadelphia 76ers are another team the NBA has started an investigation on and looked into," Charania said during a Friday appearance on the Pat McAfee Show (6:13 mark). "Just based on, you've had Tyrese Maxey miss time, we know Paul George has missed time."
George and Maxey have both missed Philadelphia's past four games due to groin and back injuries, respectively.
George has also been dealing with knee issues throughout the year.
The investigation may not lead to a punishment for the 76ers, though.
"I think with Philadelphia, it looks a little bit more legitimate, maybe," Charania added (6:30 mark). "Because you think about Tyrese Maxey, he's been banged up all year. And Paul George, the five games before the All-Star break in February, I'm told Paul George was playing with pain-killing injections."
The reported concerns from the NBA appear to stem from Philadelphia potentially keeping Maxey and George out of games. The 76ers sit at No. 12 in the Eastern Conference standings with a 22-43 record.
Philadelphia's first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft is top-six protected, meaning that it'll head to the Oklahoma City Thunder if the 76ers fall below No. 6 in the draft lottery.
As things currently stand, the 76ers own the sixth-worst record in the association.
George's first season in Philadelphia hasn't gone as planned, with the nine-time All-Star averaging just 16.2 points per game and appearing in a mere 41 contests.
Charania reported Thursday that George was set to consult with doctors "this week" on treatment options for his groin and knee injuries, listing surgery as a possibility.
Maxey has remained relatively healthier compared to George, but he's still missed 13 games this season.
In April 2024, the NBA fined the 76ers $100,000 for violating league injury reporting rules. As part of the announcement, the association explained that the fine "takes into account the 76ers’ prior history of fines for violating injury reporting rules."
As Philadelphia closes out its 2024-25 campaign, the NBA is reportedly conducting another investigation involving the organization.
