Philadelphia 76ers Star Listed as Questionable Ahead of Crucial Game 2 Matchup Against New York Knicks

The Philadelphia 76ers could play Game 2 of their first-round series against the New York Knicks without their All-Star guard, Tyrese Maxey.

According to Chris Haynes, a senior NBA insider for TNT and Bleacher Report, Maxey is listed as questionable for Monday night’s game due to an illness. Haynes shared the news via X.

Maxey did not attend Monday’s shootaround at Madison Square Garden.

Maxey provided a spark for the team in Game 1 as he led the team in scoring and was a big reason why his team had a fighting chance to steal the series’ first game. On Saturday, Maxey led all scorers with 33 points on 14-for-26 shooting from the field to go along with four assists, two rebounds, and two blocks in 44 minutes of action. The 76ers looked dead in the water, especially after superstar big man Joel Embiid went down with what looked like another knee injury in the first half. Luckily, he returned to the game, chipping in 29 points and eight rebounds.

Embiid fell awkwardly on his left leg late in the second quarter after a ridiculous highlight reel-worthy play. He had a procedure on the lateral meniscus in his left knee in February.

There’s no doubt Maxey’s potential absence in Game 2 will hinder the 76ers’ chance to tie the series. In the 12 games Maxey has missed this season, the 76ers have a 4-8 record and average 109.2 points per game without him on the court. He’s pivotal for Philly making a long postseason run, especially with what seems to be a limited Embiid on the court.

Maxey had himself in impressive year in 2024. In his fourth NBA season, Maxey recorded career-highs across the board, averaging 25.9 points per game on 45 percent shooting from the field and 37.3 percent from three, to go along with 3.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game in 70 games. He was also named an All-Star for the first time in his career and is a finalist for the Most Improved Player award.

The former Kentucky Wildcat was selected by the 76ers with the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft. After his rookie season, he established himself as one of the great young scorers in the league and has taken that to another level in 2023-24.

This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but hopefully for Philly’s sake, Maxey is able to play on Monday as they try to tie the series at one apiece before heading back home. Tip-off for Monday night’s Game 2 is 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on TNT.