Zachary Engberg
2 min read • November 26, 2022
Posted in
Something is afoot in Philadelphia, where the 9-9 76ers are without their top three scorers Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Tyrese Maxey, all of whom suffered foot injuries over the last few weeks.
Miraculously, all three starters avoided a Lisfranc sprain/fracture or a Jones fracture – significant injuries that often require season-ending surgeries – and all three are in line to return sometime in December, according to the Pro Basketball Docs.
Embiid, who will miss his third game on Friday, should be the first back on the floor as his sprain appeared minor.
The defending NBA scoring champion was able to play the final five minutes through the injury on November 19
The Sixers are 1-1 so far without the perennial MVP contender will likely miss at least two more before the team returns home from Orlando next Monday against the Hawks.
Harden suffered a likely right foot peroneal tendon strain on Nov. 2 but, like Embiid, finished the fourth quarter after a brief stint in the locker room.
The southpaw said at practice on November 17 that he would be back in the next two weeks, which would line up with the four-to-six week timeline that the Docs projected.
The 33-year-old also stressed the importance of patience in his recovery and referenced his summer 2021 hamstring strain that lingered through last season.
Maxey's injury is likely the most difficult to project, as foot fractures – no matter what size – can take longer to heal due to the lack of blood flow.
The dynamic guard suffered the injury on November 18 and Philadelphia announced a three-to-four week timeline.
The 22-year-old Maxey averaged 20.8 points, 5.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds on 19.7 shots per game in six contest without Harden and has scored 25-or-more points in seven of his 15 games this season.
Written by Zachary Engberg
