76ers are now paying the price for this risky decision at the worst possible time

The Philadelphia 76ers are fighting for a better playoff position in the East, which makes it all the more important for Tyrese Maxey to step up his game during his already impressive campaign. Unfortunately, it seems like he’s starting to reel from the effects of having to play so many minutes every night.

Since the All-Star break, Maxey has shot just 42.6 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from beyond the three-point line, while also coughing up the ball three times per game. Those are certainly not typical figures for him, as he is generally an efficient, high-usage guard who rarely turns the ball over. This could be a silent case of basketball burnout.

Maxey is averaging 38.4 minutes per game this season, easily leading the league in that department. Nick Nurse and the coaches have not hesitated to rest him for an extended period of time. In fact, he has only played less than 30 minutes in a game three times this campaign: two against the basement-dwelling Wizards and another in a blowout loss to the Hornets.

And now the 76ers are starting to face the consequences.

The 76ers are reeling from the consequences of Tyrese Maxey playing too many minutes

With Joel Embiid out for the time being and Paul George still out of commission due to a league-imposed suspension, Maxey has no choice but to once again be the dominant hand for the 76ers. But at this point, his body’s mileage is starting to affect the way he moves around the floor, and this certainly can’t be attributed to his fault.

The 76ers overtaxed him, especially early in the season. And with his efficiency taking a hit, the team faces a more precarious situation given their mission after the All-Star break –– to gain home field advantage at least in the first round.

To make matters worse, unlike before the trade deadline, the 76ers no longer have the luxury of having skilled players fill in for him in spurts. Jared McCain is no longer with the team, while Quentin Grimes has been so inconsistent.

There really is no going back from this. Hopefully Tyrese Maxey can snap out of his mini slump as of late, though that’s no excuse for the coaching staff to come up with more ways to conserve his body and energy for the stretch run.