The Philadelphia 76ers are just days away from their season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks, and there’s good news on the injury front as the team returned to practice on Monday.
Tyrese Maxey is reported to be in good shape. The Sixers experienced two injury scares last week: Paul George left the game against the Atlanta Hawks with a hyperextended knee, which was later diagnosed as a bone bruise, while Maxey exited the match against the Orlando Magic with a thumb contusion. After just five minutes, the team decided to sit him for the remainder of the game.
Following the Magic game, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse reassured reporters that Maxey’s limited playing time was merely a precaution. During a public practice session in Delaware on Sunday, Maxey served as a coach on the sidelines, and Nurse reiterated that the former All-Star was doing well. “He’s okay, yeah, he’s fine,” Nurse stated. “Just precautionary, got hit on his hand, nothing serious; he’s feeling pretty good.”
When the 76ers practiced on Monday, Maxey was back on the court as a full participant. After the session, he confirmed to reporters that his thumb was fine following the contusion sustained against the Magic. If there are no setbacks before Wednesday, Maxey appears set to play in the opener against the Bucks. During the preseason, he participated in five of six games, averaging 11 points, four assists, and one steal per game.
The main concerns for the Sixers revolve around their other two All-Stars, Joel Embiid and Paul George. Embiid missed the entire preseason as part of an injury management plan and did not participate in scrimmages during training camp. Meanwhile, George’s bone bruise will be re-evaluated on Tuesday, which should provide the team with a clearer picture of his availability for the game against the Bucks.