Tyrese Maxey Returns From Finger Injury To Propel 76ers Past Hornets

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Tyrese Maxey insists a finger problem will not slow the guard for the rest of the NBA season after returning from injury to guide the Philadelphia 76ers past the Charlotte Hornets, lifting a key Eastern Conference clash between the seventh and eighth seeds.

Maxey had been out since 7 March with a right finger tendon strain and missed 11 straight games. Philadelphia went 7-4 without Maxey, but the latest victory carried extra weight, as the teams are split by only one-and-a-half games in the standings.

The guard responded with 26 points, eight assists and seven rebounds on return, while Joel Embiid scored 29 points and Paul George also added 26. The 76ers now turn attention to another away test, facing the Miami Heat on Monday in a further important road game.

Maxey does not expect the current finger issue to force another early finish, even though a similar injury ended last season. Philadelphia is chasing a place in the Eastern Conference top six, which would secure a direct play-off spot and avoid the pressure of the play-in tournament.

Reflecting on how the finger felt, Maxey explained the contrast with the previous campaign. "It was different. Last year I didn’t stop playing. So this year, it’s still there, for sure, but it’s way different," Maxey said of the injury that had sidelined the guard.

Maxey described easing into the contest and the encouragement from teammates after the lay-off. "I let the game come to me at the beginning," Maxey said afterwards. "Everybody was like, ‘Dude, all right. We know you just got back. Come on, let’s play.’ I was like, ‘I got you.’"

Maxey highlighted one practical positive with the hand. "I don’t have to play with the buddy tape, and that really helps. That really helps, and shoutout to the medical staff. They did a really good job of helping me," Maxey said following the performance.

The guard outlined discussions with staff about returning. "I told them this, ‘I gotta play. I gotta play, man. My three weeks are up!’ I had to pass all the tests and talk to the different doctors and do everything the medical staff told me to do. I played no five-on-five, nothing. I just said, ‘You know what? I’ve been working my tail off, and I want to be there for my team.’"

With Maxey back in the rotation and the finger feeling stronger than last season, the 76ers gain a major boost for the closing stretch as the team attempts to climb from seventh, catch rivals in a tight Eastern Conference race and secure direct qualification for the play-offs.