With Game 6 on tap, the Philadelphia 76ers are going into their second-straight win-or-go-home matchup of the playoffs against the Boston Celtics.
On the injury report, the Sixers have two players listed in Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Embiid is probable to play in his third-straight game, while Maxey is available.
It’s been a while since Maxey has actually missed time, but his hand injury just might be affecting him more than anyone could imagine.
When Maxey returned to the court earlier than scheduled, he made it clear that pushing through the pain and getting the 76ers into the playoffs was his priority. Anytime his hand was brought up, Maxey hardly entertained the talk, as he didn’t want to make excuses.
But one 76ers insider believes that the setback is a major difference-maker against the Celtics. Kyle Neubeck of PHLY wonders just how different the series would be if Maxey didn’t have a lingering hand injury.
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 11: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against Landry Shamet #44 of the New York Knicks in the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Could The 76ers Be Up Without A Maxey Injury?
“What I would say and what I was thinking as I’m watching and writing about that game, is I think if Tyrese Maxey’s hand was right, they’d be up in this series,” Neubeck said on PHLY’s Sixers show.
“In fact, the series might be over by now, because the big problem in this series is how Boston is playing off of him. They’re taking away the lane at times, and they’re saying, We want you to shoot pull-up threes because we don’t believe you can make them, and we want our bigs closer to the rim. And his inability to hit pull-up threes was really the only problem for him [in Game 5].”
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 15: Paul George #8 talks to Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Orlando Magic at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 15, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Compared to his last two playoff runs, Maxey’s three-point shooting numbers are down slightly. He averaged 40.0% during the 2023 and 2024 runs. This season, Maxey is hitting on 39.1% of his threes on his highest volume yet. To Neubeck’s point, it’s not about Maxey hitting them–it’s about how he has to hit them based on Boston’s looks.
There are a lot of what-ifs in this series that could change the outcome, and most of it comes from Philly’s side. Health is always a major question in the playoffs for the Sixers, and Joel Embiid once again didn’t enter the postseason healthy. He missed the first three games.
Still, despite Embiid’s fast recovery and Maxey’s lingering setback, the 76ers still have a shot at pulling off the upset against Boston. Game 6 takes place on Thursday night in Philly. If the 76ers can pull it off, they’ll go back to Boston for a final matchup on Saturday.