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Tyrese Maxey missed shootaround with an illness and is listed as questionable for Game 2 of Sixers-Knicks

The Sixers would be at a huge disadvantage if the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder is unable to play. He finished with a game-high 33 points along with four assists in his team's 111-104 Game 1 loss.

Tyrese Maxey during warmups before the Sixers played the New York Knicks in Game 1 of their playoff series on Saturday.
Tyrese Maxey during warmups before the Sixers played the New York Knicks in Game 1 of their playoff series on Saturday.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer

NEW YORK — Tyrese Maxey is questionable for the Game 2 matchup against the New York Knicks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

The 76ers’ All-Star guard missed the Monday morning shootaround with an illness. The Sixers will be at a huge disadvantage if the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder is unable to play.

Maxey finished the Sixers’ 111-104 loss in Game 1 with a game-high 33 points along with four assists and two blocks.

If he’s unable to go Monday, Kyle Lowry could take most of the ballhandling duties. Reserve point guard Cam Payne or power forward Nico Batum could be candidates to become the fifth starter. Payne would start alongside Lowry in the backcourt in that case. Small forward Kelly Oubre Jr. would slide down to a guard spot if Batum gets the nod.

» READ MORE: Joel Embiid feeling ‘pretty good’ but the Sixers’ role players must be better in Game 2 vs. Knicks

Maxey and reigning MVP Joel Embiid are being asked to carry a heavy portion of the Sixers’ load this series, as they did during the regular season.

That was clear with award season officially upon us. On Sunday, Maxey, Chicago Bulls point guard Coby White, and Houston Rockets center Alperen Şengün were named finalists for the Most Improved Player award.

Maxey averaged career highs of 25.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1 steal this season.

The 23-year-old scored at least 50 points three times this season, including a career-high 52 points in a double-overtime victory over the San Antonio Spurs on April 7.