CAMDEN, N.J.–After shootaround on Friday morning as the Philadelphia 76ers prepared for the defending champion Golden State Warriors, Tyrese Maxey was smiling. He was shooting some free throws with De’Anthony Melton and he was cracking jokes and having fun with his teammate.
Maxey has not played since suffering a left foot fracture back on Nov. 18 and coach Doc Rivers mentioned that he believes Maxey is still a couple of weeks away. There was a report that he could return before Christmas, but it doesn’t appear that will be the case.
For a guy like Maxey who is such a workaholic and he just wants to play basketball, a time like this could be extremely tough for him. However, he has remained upbeat and positive.
“The same guy,” said veteran teammate Montrezl Harrell. “The same guy that comes in and smiles every day. He comes in and gets his work in even when he’s done with his work, he still stays around for shootaround and watches the things that we’re doing.”
James Harden is putting in some work after shootaround this morning #Sixers pic.twitter.com/QG6Yx2BnMa
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) December 16, 2022
The Sixers have been missing Maxey’s ability to score at will while out on the floor and his ability to get the ball ahead and push the pace. When he does return from his injury, he will be a big help to what the Sixers want to do on the offensive end of the floor.
He has continued to work despite the foot injury and he has remained involved with the team in order to not miss a beat.
“He’s a guy that’s just still working to get back to where he was before he went out with his injury,” Harrell added. “He’s looking to still learn while he’s out dealing with those pains as well.”
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