NBA Notes: Sixers, Tyrese Maxey, Pelicans, Jeremiah Fears, Nuggets

Sixers

Tyrese Maxey played through a finger injury to help lead the Sixers to a key win over Indiana on Friday.

Maxey aggravated the injury to his right pinky in the third quarter, briefly heading to the locker room before returning after having the finger numbed and rewrapped. He finished strong despite the issue, which he acknowledged has affected his play in recent games.

“I don’t have time to be timid right now,” Maxey said, via Gina Mizell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “My teammates need me. … There’s just no way I’m going to let them down now.”

With Joel Embiid sidelined following an appendectomy, Philadelphia is leaning more heavily on Maxey as it heads toward what is likely a play-in appearance. The Sixers can still climb as high as sixth, but would need a win over Milwaukee and help elsewhere.

Paul George said the team is embracing an underdog mindset.

“Teams that make it further than their expectation, it’s because they’re playing together,” George said.

Pelicans

Rookie Jeremiah Fears is set to make franchise history.

Fears will become the first rookie in Pelicans history to appear in all 82 games when New Orleans faces Minnesota on Sunday. The No. 7 overall pick has been a bright spot in an otherwise difficult season.

“Being able to play all 82 games is big time,” Fears said, via Rod Walker of NOLA.com. “Not everybody gets the opportunity.”

Fears is averaging 14.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists, but has elevated his scoring recently, including a 40-point outing earlier this week. He credited his recovery routine for helping him stay available throughout the season.

Nuggets

The Nuggets and Thunder both rested key players Friday in a game that had playoff positioning implications, with Denver ultimately coming away with a win that secured home-court advantage in the first round.

Coach David Adelman sat his entire starting lineup, citing health concerns late in the season.

“What’s on the injury report is what they’re out with,” Adelman said. “They’re dealing with a lot more than that physically.”

Despite the absences, Denver earned a 20-point victory and remains in position for the No. 3 seed in the West. The Nuggets can clinch that spot with a win over San Antonio on Sunday.

Adelman indicated the team has discussed potential playoff paths but is prioritizing health above all else.

“There’s no good opponent,” he said. “I think you just have to play it out with decisions that are best for your team.”