Absent since Nov. 19 with a broken foot, Tyrese Maxey finally got the floors back on last night in New Orleans. A logically shy return, but a return that allows the Sixers to be in full force. How to face the new year with a smile?
Today is December 31, 2022 and the Philadelphia infirmary is empty. No one injured, no one absent, all on their feet.
It’s rare enough to point out, and it’s a reminder that the Sixers evolved just a month ago without Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Tyrese Maxey. Since then, Jojo has come back to blast everything, the Bearded has picked up the pace, and now we have Maxey back on the court.
Author of 9 points in 19 minutes (4/10 shooting, 1 rebound, 1 assist) off the bench against New Orleans, Tyrese came back slowly last night. No wonder after nearly six weeks of absence. It will clearly be necessary to give him time to find his excellent pace at the beginning of the season (23 points per game in the first month of competition). But it was an important first step for him and for the Sixers.
“In the first half I was a little nervous. But that’s normal. I tried to reintegrate myself into the team as best I could to help us win.
— Tyrese Maxey, go The Philadelphia detective
If in the end there was a loss to the Pelicans, Maxey can now look forward, and the Sixers too. With good dynamics at the end of 2022 (8 wins in 10 games), Philadelphia has the opportunity to start the new year off right, with all those who are operational. Sure, Tyrese’s reinstatement will force Doc Rivers to change his rotation, which could upset the balance he found during his eight-game winning streak. Except at the end, we know Philly needs a big Maxey around Harden and Embiid to hopefully take over the East one day.
Currently fifth in the conference with a 20-14 record, the Sixers have a fairly forgiving schedule going into 2023, with five of seven games to be played at home and against teams with poor records (Thunder twice, Pistons twice, Bulls) .
