Sixers’ Tyrese Maxey avoids fracture in pinky injury, Nick Nurse says

CLEVELAND — The 76ers appear to have avoided the worst with Tyrese Maxey’s latest injury.

Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said Monday that medical tests revealed no fractures in Maxey’s sprained right pinky. The All-Star guard was hurt late in Saturday’s 126-116 loss to the Hawks after colliding with teammate Adem Bona.

Maxey immediately grabbed his right hand and headed to the locker room with just 16 seconds remaining.

The team conducted X-rays and an MRI, which came back clean.

“No breaks,” Nurse said ahead of Monday’s game against the Cavaliers. “Now he’s got to see the hand specialists to figure out what’s next.”

Maxey has already been ruled out through Tuesday’s game against the Grizzlies as the Sixers wait for further evaluation.

There is at least some added concern because Maxey dealt with a similar issue last season.

“He seems OK and his spirits are good,” Nurse said. “He wants to be back, but he’s got to see these people before we take the next step.”

Maxey has been one of the NBA’s most productive guards this season. He leads the league with 1,767 total points while averaging career highs of 29 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.7 assists across 61 games.

Meanwhile, the Sixers have slipped to eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings.