Things aren’t looking up for the Philadelphia 76ers. The team lost a tough Eastern Conference matchup against the Atlanta Hawks tonight, going down 125-116. More importantly, the team lost star guard Tyrese Maxey late in the game to injury, and now head coach Nick Nurse has issued a concerning update on his condition.

Sixers writer Tony Jones reported that during the post-game conference, Nurse told the media that Maxey is set to undergo X-rays on the injured right hand, and that it is “the concern,” according to Jones. This is an especially unfortunate setback for Maxey, who has played the best ball of his career as a number-one option this year.

The injury occurred in the final minutes of the game. With 25 seconds on the clock, Maxey, who was trying to jump the passing lane on an opposing inbound, crashed into big man Sixer Adem Bona. In the aftermath of the collision, Bona looked fine, but Maxey was in significant pain, laying on the floor for a few seconds.

Maxey wasted no time, immediately heading to the locker room as soon as Nurse called a timeout after the possession. He finished the game with 31 points, five assists, two rebounds, and three steals in a grueling 38 minutes on the floor.

Maxey has missed only two games this season, and his health has been crucial to keeping the Sixers afloat. Now, with the team already having lost standout rookie VJ Edgecombe earlier this week, it’s up to the role players.

For now, all Sixers fans can do is wait for more clarity on Maxey’s status. Expect an actual update on him before the Sixers’ game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Sixers in a Tough Spot Following Tyrese Maxey Injury Against Atlanta Hawks

The Sixers have already been dealing with major injuries and absences among their starters, even before Tyrese Maxey’s injury. Heading into tonight’s game, the team was already down three starters.

Franchise center Joel Embiid has been dealing with an oblique strain, for which he’s going to miss at least one more week. Since February 9th, the former MVP has appeared in just two games.

What makes things even worse is Edgecombe’s injury. In a game against the San Antonio Spurs, the guard went down and didn’t return, and he hasn’t played since. For now, he’s listed as day-to-day.

Finally, veteran forward Paul George is currently serving a 25-game suspension from the NBA. He is not expected back until March at the earliest, and even then, he has a history of injuries dating back to his days with the Indiana Pacers.

Now, after tonight’s loss, the team is 34-29 and in the eighth seed, and the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic are just 0.5 games behind. For now, the team needs improved play from everyone left on the floor, which is easier said than done, especially considering that they have no offensive initiator outside of an aged Cameron Payne.