Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey has been downgraded to questionable vs. the New York Knicks in Game 2 of their first-round NBA playoff series.
The Sixers are listing Maxey as potentially out with an illness.
New York leads the series, 1-0, and there are questions about the health of Sixers center Joel Embiid as well. Without Maxey, and with a banged-up Embiid, the Knicks very well could put this series away quickly.
Embiid was also listed as questionable after landing awkwardly on his leg in Game 1. He underwent a procedure on the lateral meniscus in his left knee on February 6.
“Embiid, who was wearing dark sunglasses after appearing to get poked in the eye during Saturday’s game, is also questionable due to left knee injury recovery,” reported Tim Bontemps of ESPN from Monday’s shootaround.
One NBA source close to the situation told Hoops Wire he believes both Maxey and Embiid will play, though the source admitted he was just guessing.
“I think he is really a warrior and he’s battling,” coach Nick Nurse told reporters of Embiid. “I think he absolutely wants to play.”
Maxey led the Sixers in Game 1 with 33 points, while Embiid finished with 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
“They protected home court,” Sixers guard Kyle Lowry said. “We have to go, watch the film, understand what we need to do, what we need to get better at and go from there.”
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