Getty
Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers dives for a loose ball against the Boston Celtics during Game 2 as Philadelphia evens the series.
The Philadelphia 76ers received a timely boost ahead of a pivotal playoff matchup, clarifying the status of one of their key players while uncertainty continues to surround another.
The 76ers confirmed that All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey will be available for Game 3 against the Boston Celtics on Friday despite dealing with a finger injury.
The announcement comes at a critical moment for Philadelphia, which returns home with the first-round Eastern Conference series tied at one game apiece.
Maxey previously missed three weeks in March after suffering a tendon injury in his right pinkie during a late-game collision with teammate Adem Bona. Imaging revealed no fracture, but the injury sidelined him for 10 games.
His availability now provides stability for a team still navigating the absence of its franchise centerpiece.
While Maxey is set to play, the 76ers are still without Joel Embiid, who remains listed as doubtful as he continues recovering from an emergency appendectomy earlier this month.
Though his return could be approaching, Embiid’s absence has forced Philadelphia to rely heavily on its guards and wings, increasing the importance of Maxey’s role as both scorer and facilitator.
Maxey delivered a strong performance in Game 2, finishing with 29 points, nine assists, four rebounds and two steals in 40 minutes as the 76ers secured a 111-97 victory in Boston.
He was joined by rookie standout V.J. Edgecombe, who recorded 30 points and 10 rebounds while playing through pain after an early fall. The duo combined for 59 points, helping Philadelphia rebound from a lopsided Game 1 loss.
Maxey said film study shaped his approach after the opener.
“I thought part of my job was being a floor manager,” Maxey said. “In Game 1, every time I drove, the Celtics were collapsing. I had to get my teammates the ball.”
He added that increasing his playmaking will be key moving forward.
“As we go on in this series, I think I need to be at eight, nine, or 10 assists in these games. The biggest thing is that I have to trust my teammates.”
Without Embiid anchoring the offense, Philadelphia has leaned into ball movement and perimeter shooting. The 76ers shot 47.8% from the field and knocked down 19 three-pointers in Game 2 — a sharp improvement from Game 1.
Head coach Nick Nurse has encouraged aggression from his perimeter players.
“I grab (Edgecombe) and Tyrese together a lot and remind them to be super aggressive,” Nurse said. “Fire it up there, keep shooting no matter what.”
Maxey’s growing influence has extended beyond the court. The All-Star guard recently debuted his first signature sneaker with New Balance, further highlighting his rising profile during the postseason.
The Maxey v1 blends performance and lifestyle elements, drawing inspiration from New Balance’s 2002 and 9060 models while incorporating modern basketball design features. The shoe is expected to launch later this year with a suggested retail price of $129.99.
GettyTyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers debuts his New Balance signature shoe.
“I wanted my shoe to have an iconic look that you don’t need to see the ‘N’ to know it’s a New Balance shoe,” Maxey said in a statement sent to Heavy Sports. “I worked really closely with the product team to make sure the shoe looks good and feels good on and off the court.”
The release is part of New Balance Basketball’s broader “Quiet Noise” campaign, which highlights the behind-the-scenes work and preparation of its athletes.
The Celtics were led by Jaylen Brown, who scored 36 points in Game 2, while Jayson Tatum added 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.
Boston struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 13-of-47 from three-point range, and committed 13 turnovers that led to 16 Philadelphia points.
“I thought Edgecombe was just too comfortable,” Brown said. “He’s a rookie, but he can play. We’ve got to be better on him.”
With Embiid still sidelined, Maxey’s role as both scorer and facilitator will remain central to Philadelphia’s chances.
Despite shooting 39.6% from the field through two games, his ability to control tempo and create opportunities has become increasingly important.
The 76ers will look to build on their Game 2 momentum as they host Game 3, with Maxey’s health and performance likely to play a decisive role.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET Friday night in Philadelphia, where the series will take another critical turn.
Alder Almo is a veteran NBA reporter for Heavy.com, covering the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. He brings over 20 years of experience across local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Originally from the Philippines, he is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
此内容由惯性聚合(RSS阅读器)自动聚合整理，仅供阅读参考。 原文来自 — 版权归原作者所有。