Tyrese Maxey, Doc Rivers hopeful Sixers guard will return from foot injury this weekend

NEW ORLEANS — Tyrese Maxey made his way around the Smoothie King Center’s three-point arc Thursday, launching shots and playfully trash-talking with 76ers teammates De’Anthony Melton and Joel Embiid.

There was reason for all of those Sixers to be cheerful. After partaking in that afternoon’s practice with his team, Maxey and coach Doc Rivers expressed optimism that the dynamic third-year guard will return to the floor either for Friday’s game against the Pelicans or Saturday at the Oklahoma City Thunder from the fractured foot that has kept him out for nearly six weeks.

“I’m just happy, honestly,” Maxey said. “Just happy and blessed. Going through injury is hard, but really just kept trying to encourage myself and encourage my teammates.”

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On the NBA’s official injury report released late Thursday afternoon, Maxey is listed as probable to play against the Pelicans. Rivers added Maxey would likely only play in one of the two games of the weekend back-to-back set, aligning with previous comments that the Sixers would bring Maxey along slowly.

Maxey, who was injured in the first half of a Nov. 18 win against the Milwaukee Bucks, has been ramping up in recent days. He participated in a “low-minute” scrimmage with non-rotation players and staff Monday in Washington, and was seen launching three-pointers following Tuesday’s shootaround before the Sixers’ loss to the Wizards. Rivers said Thursday’s practice mostly consisted of “skeleton” no-contact work, but that Maxey “was fine.”

When asked if his signature speed and burst have come back, Maxey grinned while saying, “I think I’m pretty fast.”

“They’re just trying to make sure I’m able to do everything that I was able to do prior to the injury,” Maxey added, “and do it at a high level.”

Maxey averaged 22.9 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 42.2% from three-point range in 15 games prior to the injury. In the weeks since, he has been an engaged presence on the bench at Sixers home games, providing tips that have prompted teammates such as P.J. Tucker to call Maxey “Coach.”

That broader perspective, Maxey said, allowed him to pick up on “so many things that I can’t just name them all.” He praised Melton and Shake Milton, who admirably filled in while Maxey (and All-Star guard James Harden) were out. Maxey will rejoin a 20-13 Sixers team that had won eight of their last nine games, and said he does not want to force anything.

“You kind of just got to lean on your teammates,” Maxey said. “They’re the ones who have been out there for a month-and-a-half without you, and they have rhythm going. ... [I want to] just try to go with the flow and you try to help your team win games.

“That’s all I want to come in and do, and bring good energy, bring good spirit, and do whatever they need me to do.”

Maxey’s return would make the Sixers’ roster whole for the first time since an Oct. 29 win at the Chicago Bulls. If Maxey does not return this weekend, the Sixers’ next three games are home matchups against the Pelicans (Monday), Indiana Pacers (Wednesday), and Chicago Bulls (Friday).

Despite leaving Tuesday’s loss at Washington after aggravating the pinched nerve that is affecting his right hand, Tucker said he plans to continue playing through the neck injury. The veteran forward practiced Thursday and is not listed on the Sixers’ injury report for Friday’s game.

“It’s frustrating, but it’s always something,” Tucker told The Inquirer following Thursday’s practice. “[I need to] stay positive. Keep playing. Keep working. Have a positive effect on the game.”

Tucker said the injury causes numbness in his hand and, when he shoots, he “can’t control” the ball. After he came out of Tuesday’s game, Tucker was shaking his arm and repeatedly opening and closing his hand from the bench. He said his treatment includes “nerve glides” that stretch the irritated portion of his neck, and other “manipulations.”

“Just a bunch of tedious stuff,” Tucker said. “Day-by-day, just try to get better.”

Tucker is the only Sixer who has played in all 33 games so far. He is averaging 3.4 points and 4.3 rebounds . His three shot attempts per game are his lowest since his rookie season in 2006-07.

When Rivers asked assistant Sam Cassell and son Spencer (a Sixers skill development coach) if they wanted to go out to dinner in New Orleans Wednesday night, the two staffers instead informed Rivers of some serendipitous scheduling.

The Pelicans on Wednesday night hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team for which Rivers’ son Austin plays. That allowed Doc Rivers to watch from the stands as a fan and father, a coincidence “that’s never happened in my entire career,” he said. Austin Rivers started the game and totaled five points, two rebounds, and two assists in the Timberwolves’ 119-118 loss.

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“Maybe I’m getting older, but you’re sitting there and you’re watching your son play in the NBA,” Doc Rivers said. “I’ve been in the NBA my whole life that you forget how special that is for your son to be there. … Last night was a really cool night.”

Doc Rivers added he engaged in fun back-and-forth with Pelicans fans, who gave him grief when he cheered for Timberwolves baskets. When the three referees spotted him before the game began, Rivers hollered, “I’m going to be on you guys all game, and you can’t do anything about it!” And because the Timberwolves spent the night in New Orleans, Doc Rivers and his two sons went to dinner after the game.

“That was absolutely terrific,” Rivers said.

The NBA announced that the Sixers’ Jan. 6 home game against the Chicago Bulls will no longer be televised by ESPN and will now tip off at 7 p.m.

The Sixers’ Jan. 10 home game against the Detroit Pistons will no longer be televised by TNT and will also tip off at 7 p.m.