It wouldn’t be a Philadelphia 76ers’ season without some truly unlucky non-contact injuries.
As if they weren’t shorthanded enough as it is, the Sixers will now be without Kelly Oubre Jr. for at least two
weeks, the team announced on Wednesday evening. The Sixers have confirmed that Oubre hyperextended his left knee in the second period against the Detroit Pistons back on Nov. 14 and that an MRI revealed a sprain to his lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The team further stated that Oubre will be out and re-evaluated in two weeks with further updates provided as appropriate.
Oubre was visibly in pain after this play late in the first half against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 14, his leg planting awkwardly during a chase-down. He did not return to the game in the second half and has been sidelined since.
It is a huge loss for the Sixers as Oubre had gotten off to a great start this season, averaging 18.0 points on 50.7% field goal and 35.4% three-point shooting in the first 11 games. He’s not only provided some of his best energy and offensive bursts in his Philadelphia career throughout the beginning of this new campaign, but has been one of the better perimeter defenders for the squad as well.
The timing really isn’t great (though, when would it ever be?). The news comes on the heels of Adem Bona suffering a sprained ankle that will see him miss at least another two games for Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Paul George is still working his way back to consistent playing time, ruled out for Wednesday night vs. the Toronto Raptors (left knee; injury recovery) after making his season debut on Monday. Joel Embiid is also inching towards being back on the court after being sidelined from a few games now due to soreness in his right knee — the one he didn’t have surgery on. However, he practiced in full on Tuesday, so hopefully that is a sign of things headed in the right direction for the big fella.
Regardless, the Sixers must play on as they always do, facing yet another back-to-back this week on Wednesday (hosting Raptors) and Thursday (at the Milwaukee Bucks).
