Maxey Plays Through Injury as 76ers Push for Playoffs

Philadelphia guard Tyrese Maxey refuses to let finger injury slow him down in crucial late-season games.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:53pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting in neon colors depicting a basketball player driving forcefully to the hoop, their face and jersey blurred into energetic brushstrokes, conveying the intensity and determination of the player's performance.Tyrese Maxey's relentless drive and refusal to be slowed by injury fuels the 76ers' late-season playoff push.Philadelphia Today

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey played through a painful right pinky tendon injury to lead his team to a crucial 105-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday. With star center Joel Embiid sidelined following an appendectomy, the 25-year-old Maxey stepped up, scoring 32 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing 5 assists despite visible discomfort from the injury. Maxey re-aggravated the injury in the second half but returned to the game, reinforcing his role as the team's focal point in Embiid's absence as the 76ers fight to secure a playoff spot.

Why it matters

The 76ers are in a tight race to make the playoffs, currently sitting in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. With Embiid out, Maxey's ability to perform through his injury could be the difference in whether the team advances to the postseason or has to go through the Play-In Tournament.

The details

Maxey shot just 1-for-10 from three-point range, showing visible discomfort from the finger injury. In the second half, he re-aggravated the injury after a collision and briefly exited to the locker room, but returned shortly after. Despite the pain, Maxey emphasized that he does not have time to be timid with the playoffs approaching.

  • On Friday, April 11, 2026, Maxey led the 76ers to a 105-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
  • The 76ers have one regular-season game remaining on Sunday, April 13, 2026 against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The players

Tyrese Maxey

A 25-year-old guard for the Philadelphia 76ers who is playing through a painful right pinky tendon injury to lead his team's late-season playoff push.

Joel Embiid

The star center for the Philadelphia 76ers who is sidelined following an appendectomy, placing greater responsibility on Maxey.

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What’s next

The 76ers need a win in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Milwaukee Bucks, along with losses by the Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors, to secure a top-6 playoff spot. If they fail to do so, they will have to go through the Play-In Tournament.

The takeaway

Tyrese Maxey's gutsy performance through a painful finger injury shows his importance to the 76ers as they fight to make the playoffs. His willingness to play through pain and lead the team in Embiid's absence could be the key factor in determining how far Philadelphia advances this postseason.