Sixers Face Injury Challenges, but Maxey and Embiid Offer Hope
The Philadelphia 76ers are dealing with another round of injury concerns, but there’s some good news coming out of the All-Star break. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, both of whom missed the team’s last game before the break, were full participants in practice. That’s a big relief for Sixers fans as the team tries to push for a playoff spot.
Maxey, who suffered a knee contusion, seems to be in much better shape now. He admitted that the pain was tough for about 48 hours but assured reporters that he’s feeling good again. "It was pretty painful for about two days, but I’m good now," Maxey said. "It was just a bone bruise, nothing major." His return to full strength is crucial for the Sixers, who need his energy and scoring ability down the stretch.
Embiid’s status is always a point of concern given his history of knee issues, but head coach Nick Nurse sounded optimistic. "He looked good today," Nurse said. "We went hard in practice, and he was a full participant. We’ll see how he feels in the morning, but he seemed to be moving well."
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However, the team will be without rookie standout Justin Edwards for at least a few games after he suffered a left ankle sprain in practice. Edwards, who had worked his way into the starting lineup in recent weeks, will be re-evaluated early next week. His absence means Quentin Grimes will likely step into a bigger role. Grimes, who was acquired at the trade deadline, has been averaging 16.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in his first four games with the team. Nurse believes he’s the right fit in the starting unit, especially with his shooting and defensive versatility.
Other injury concerns include Kyle Lowry (hip), Eric Gordon (wrist), and Jared McCain (knee surgery). Nurse joked that having only four injured players is actually an improvement from earlier in the season. "We’re down to only four, that’s not bad, man. That’s a victory," he said with a laugh.
With 28 games left in the regular season, the Sixers know they need to stay healthy and start winning if they want to make a serious playoff push. Maxey put it simply: "It’s in our hands. If we want to move up in the standings, we’ve got to do it as a group."
At the end of the day, the Sixers' chances rest on their stars—Embiid, Maxey, and Paul George—staying on the court and performing at a high level. Nurse is hoping for some much-needed continuity in the lineup. "We need and deserve some better health," he said. "If we can get our guys out there consistently, I think we’ll start playing better and build some chemistry."
The road ahead won’t be easy, but if Embiid, Maxey, and the rest of the squad can stay healthy, the Sixers still have a shot at turning their season around.
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