This year – with Embiid hobbled, George shuffling through a succession of injuries and Caleb Martin and Andre Drummond only occasionally available for work – Maxey has had to keep the team afloat. He’s the only thing standing between the Sixers and tanking oblivion.

Paul George’s debut season with the Philadelphia 76ers hit a new low point in the team’s 100-96 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Without Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in the lineup, George went scoreless in the first half and ended with just two points.

The Philadelphia 76ers were without Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey for their Wednesday night showdown against the Brooklyn Nets, but Paul George was in the lineup which meant they still had a guy with a max contract on the court when they lost by four.