In the absence of Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers have leaned heavily on Tyrese Maxey, and he's stepped up impressively. The young guard has not only become a scoring machine but also elevated his playmaking game. However, with great responsibility comes great strain, and Maxey's efficiency is starting to waver under the pressure.
Embiid's been sidelined with shin and knee soreness, missing the last four games, all of which the Sixers have lost. During this challenging stretch, Maxey has been the constant presence, facing the media and shouldering the load as the team grapples with their struggles without their MVP.
At 25, Maxey's professionalism is top-notch, but his shooting efficiency has taken a hit. While it might be tempting to chalk this up to a temporary slump, the numbers suggest there's more at play.
Nick Nurse needs to rethink his strategy
After a tough 2024-25 season, Nick Nurse is under pressure to guide Philadelphia to the playoffs. Anything less would be a letdown, and this urgency is clear in his rotations. Even with comfortable leads, Nurse keeps Maxey on the court, a decision that’s now proving counterproductive.
In their recent 111-126 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, Maxey's fatigue was palpable. Despite scoring 27 points and dishing out seven assists, his shooting faltered. He went 9-23 from the floor and a mere 2-11 from beyond the arc.
This isn't a one-off; it's the fifth time in eight games that Maxey's field-goal percentage has dipped below 40%. These aren't the numbers of a player trying to do too much, but rather of one being worn down by exhaustion.
Maxey is currently leading the NBA in minutes per game at 38.6. In contrast, top guards like the Lakers' Luke Doncic and the Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards are logging 36.5 and 35.5 minutes, respectively, and playing fewer games.
With Embiid's injury history, the Sixers can't afford to risk another star. Overworking Maxey could leave him ineffective when the playoffs roll around, or worse, lead to a season-ending injury. Philadelphia's postseason hopes hinge on keeping their key players healthy and ready for the challenges ahead.