Sixers add Maxey (illness) as second questionable All-Star ahead of Game 2 in NY originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia
NEW YORK — The Sixers added a second questionable All-Star ahead of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Knicks.
Tyrese Maxey was not present for the Sixers’ Monday morning shootout because of illness and the team listed him as questionable for that night’s game.
Most Improved Player Finalist played 37.5 minutes per game this regular season and 44 on Saturday at Sixers’ series-opening loss.
Maxey had a rough second quarter in Game 1, shooting 2-for-9 from the floor in the period, but was instrumental in the team’s comeback in the second half. The 23-year-old point guard scored 21 points after halftime on 9-of-12 shooting.
The Sixers went 4-8 this season without Maxey. One of these victories was memorable 79-73 victory at Madison Square Garden on March 10 as Maxey progressed through the NBA’s concussion protocols.
As of Monday morning, Joel Embiid (recovering from left knee injury) remained questionable. De’Anthony Melton (recovering from back injury) and Robert Covington (left knee injury) were left out.
According to Sixers head coach Nick Nurse, Embiid told him his left knee felt “really fine” on Sunday following a troubling play in Game 1 that caused the superstar center to miss the final 2:37 of the second quarter.
After the Sixers’ defensive rebounding struggles in the series opener, Nurse said stints in which Embiid plays alongside big backup Paul Reed are a “possibility” moving forward.
“For me, I just make sure I get my driving lanes and get to the deep spot,” Reed said before approaching his approach in lineups with Embiid. “And sometimes cutting. I just try to keep moving… to get one of the other guys open. They’re always going to double (Embiid), so it’s just a matter of making sure someone is open.”
Given the less than ideal health of their stars, the Sixers would especially benefit from a stronger secondary attack. Kyle Lowry impressed with a 12-point third quarter in Game 1, but the Knicks’ bench outscored the Sixers’ bench by a 42-7 margin.
Starters Kelly Oubre Jr. and Tobias Harris each shot 3 of 7 from the floor.
“One thing we’ve talked about as a whole team is the offensive end taking different actions,” Harris said Monday. “And don’t be as predictable as we were at times in (Game 1). But for me personally, I take a look at the film and see different spots that I could shoot and be more aggressive, or let it fly a few times out of three. So I take all of that into consideration and prepare for the game.”
