PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers are getting healthier with Joel Embiid and James Harden returning to the floor. They are still waiting on the return of their 22-year-old rising star, however.
Tyrese Maxey has not played since Nov. 18 against the Milwaukee Bucks due to a fracture in his left foot. The team expects him to return before Christmas, which means at some point during their seven-game homestand.
Before the Sixers take on the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, coach Doc Rivers updated Maxey’s recovery.
“He’s doing more, for sure,” said Rivers. “I think this week will be a big week for him as far as when he’ll come back.”
Now the question is what does that week entail? What does Maxey have to do to get himself back on the floor for Philadelphia?
“Play basketball,” said Rivers. “I’m totally serious. I’m not joking. Right now, he’s done nothing competitive. He’s just running and jumping. I don’t know if he’s jumping yet, so we obviously aren’t going to put him on the floor until he can play in a pick up game or a 2-on-2 and he hasn’t been able to do that. Until he gets to that point, he’s gonna be out.”
The Sixers take on the Hornets on Sunday in the second game of their seven-game homestand.
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