Tyrese

Maxey

Maxey led all scorers with 23 points, but this was not one of his better games. The 76ers guard, who Ausar Thompson hounded for most of the night, recorded just one assist in 33 minutes. Given how many fantasy managers have benefitted from Maxey’s production throughout the season, this was a disappointing end to Week 23 for those competing for league championships. For managers whose seasons will be active in Week 24, Philadelphia plays four games.

Maxey has dished out eight assists or more in each of his last four appearances. Add in the points, rebounds and blocks, and Friday was a good night for the 76ers’ star point guard. Maxey shot the ball well, making over 50 percent of his field-goal attempts. Philadelphia plays once more in Week 23, as they host the Pistons on Saturday. That stands to be a stiffer test for Maxey and the 76ers than Friday’s win over the Timberwolves.

Maxey had an efficient night at the office on Wednesday, shooting 60 percent from the field and committing just two turnovers. While he did take a fall during the second half where it appeared that his right hand got caught underneath his body, Maxey was fine. The 76ers had to put their starters back into the game after the Wizards trimmed the margin to 12, resulting in Maxey logging 34 minutes on a night when the team may have preferred to get him a little more rest.

Maxey did not shoot the ball well in the 76ers’ first game of Week 23, but the overall production compensated for that. In the two games he’s played since returning from a finger injury, the 76ers’ point guard has totaled 14 rebounds, 17 assists, one steal, three blocks and five three-pointers. And, as many fantasy managers know, poor-shooting nights like Monday are not the norm for Maxey. The 76ers face the Wizards on Wednesday in what stands to be an excellent matchup for Maxey.

Back in the 76ers’ lineup after missing three weeks with a finger injury, Maxey was aggressive from the start. He made his first three three-point attempts and finished with a complete stat line while shooting well over 50 percent from the field. Just as encouraging for fantasy managers was Maxey playing 43 of a possible 48 minutes. Conditioning clearly wasn’t an issue for the star guard. Philadelphia plays four games in Week 23, starting with the Heat on Monday.

Maxey is back after missing three weeks with a finger injury, giving the 76ers a welcome boost as they look to avoid the play-in tournament. His return pushes Quentin Grimes ot the bench, limiting Grimes’ fantasy value. There has been no word regarding a potential minutes limit for Maxey, but he doesn’t need heavy minutes to provide reliable fantasy value. VJ Edgecombe, Paul George, Dominick Barlow and Joel Embiid complete the starting five.

Sidelined since suffering a finger injury late in a March 7 loss to the Hawks, Maxey is listed as questionable for Saturday. If he’s able to return, there could be a minutes limit in place. Maxey should replace Quentin Grimes in the starting lineup once he’s able to play.

Injuries have thrust Grimes into a prominent role within the 76ers’ rotation, and he’s taken advantage more often than not. Since scoring two points in his first start on March 3, the 76ers guard has reached double figures in seven straight, surpassing 20 points in four. Sundays’ performance was the best of the bunch for Grimes, who finished with a season-high 31. With Tyrese Maxey (finger) unlikely to help fantasy managers again this season, Grimes is a must-add in 12-team leagues.

Once again used in a reserve role, Payne’s streak of consecutive made three-pointers ended at 10 during Thursday’s defeat. He still had a solid night scoring-wise, but those who have streamed him may have hoped for a better assist tally. Even if Payne continues to come off the bench, which is likely since the 76ers want to put the ball in VJ Edgecombe’s hands more, he’s worth streaming while Tyrese Maxey (finger) is out.

Maxey has a tendon injury in his right pinky finger, which is his shooting hand. The injury occurred in Saturday’s loss to Atlanta, and he missed Monday’s game against the Cavaliers and had already been ruled out against the Grizzlies on Tuesday. This will have Maxey being re-evaluated on March 31, though he could remain sidelined longer than that. VJ Edgecombe is set to serve as the starting point guard against Memphis and could remain in that role for most of this month, with Cameron Payne filling out the backup minutes.