The Philadelphia 76ers are gearing up for a pivotal matchup against the Charlotte Hornets, with some promising news on the injury front. Joel Embiid and Paul George have already made their return, and now the spotlight turns to Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre, who might be suiting up soon.
Maxey and Oubre are currently listed as “questionable” for Saturday night’s clash in Charlotte. Maxey has been sidelined for ten games due to a tendon injury in his right pinky, while Oubre has missed eight games with a left elbow sprain.
Oubre, however, seems ready to hit the court. "I don't know if I'm breaking news or not, but I don't care," he shared with a grin on Friday.
"Yeah, I'm playing basketball tomorrow. We’ve got a good thing going, and I’m eager to help push this momentum into the postseason."
Maxey, while not as definitive, is making strides towards a return. "I feel pretty good," he noted.
"I just got a new splint recently. I've been working on conditioning and doing everything required.
So, we'll see."
Even if Maxey isn't ready for Saturday, his comeback appears imminent.
This game carries significant weight in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Sixers, sitting seventh, are a game ahead of the ninth-place Hornets. With the season series tied at one apiece, Saturday’s winner not only claims the series but also gains a crucial edge in playoff positioning.
As the Sixers look to solidify their spot, having key players back could be the boost they need.