76ers' Tyrese Maxey Reportedly 'Expected' to Miss Rest of Season with Finger Injury

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey will reportedly be shut down for the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Maxey is not expected to play again this season due to a finger tendon injury that has kept him out of action since March 3.

Maxey joins Joel Embiid, Paul George and Jared McCain as key Sixers players who have had their season cut short because of injuries.

After adding George to a core that already included Embiid and Maxey, the Sixers were widely expected to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference and a potential championship contender this season.

However, injuries derailed those hopes, and the 76ers have instead been the league's biggest disappointment this season with a 23-53 record.

Currently 13th in the East, the Sixers have been eliminated from playoff contention, marking the first time they have missed the postseason since the 2016-17 campaign.

Maxey, 24, was the No. 21 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, and he quickly established himself as a big-time offensive threat in Philly.

After playing limited minutes as a rookie, Maxey averaged 17.5 points per game in his second season and 20.3 points per game in his third.

He truly broke out in 2023-24 when he was named an All-Star for the first time and won the NBA Most Improved Player Award after averaging 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 three-pointers made and 1.0 steal per game, which were all career highs at the time.

Maxey was even better on a per-game basis this season, averaging 26.3 points, 6.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 3.1 three-pointers made and 1.8 steals, but injuries limited him to 52 games and the team struggled as a whole.

Given that the Sixers have nothing left to play for in their six remaining games this season, it makes sense to take a cautious approach with Maxey and ensure he is healthy for next season.

There is also plenty of incentive for the Sixers to land a top-six selection in the 2025 NBA draft. Otherwise, it will be conveyed to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Playing without Maxey likely lessens the 76ers' chances of winning games down the stretch.

If Embiid, George and Maxey can stay healthy, and the Sixers add a high-end draft pick to the mix, they have a chance to be right back in the championship mix next season despite this season's shortcomings.