Reigning ROY Michael Carter-Williams could miss start of Sixers' season

Reigning rookie of the year Michael Carter-Williams could miss the start of the Sixers season because of a nagging shoulder injury, according to a report on Thursday from Dei Lynam of CSN Philly.

Reigning rookie of the year Michael Carter-Williams could miss the start of the Sixers season because of a nagging shoulder injury, according to a report on Thursday from Dei Lynam of CSN Philly.

The former Syracuse standout, who turns 23 on Friday, had surgery in May to repair a torn labrum in right shoulder. It's limited him throughout training camp and apparently the rehab isn't going as quickly as expected.

• Thunder rookie Mitch McGary out six weeks with fractured foot 

Head coach Brett Brown said Thursday that Carter-Williams is still a few weeks away from participating in five-on-five drills. Typically, a player spends a few days engaged in full-court five-on-five drills to gauge whether he's ready to return to action. 

Philadelphia tips off its regular season on Oct. 29 with a game on the road vs. the Pacers, so it's entirely possible -- according to Brown's timeline -- that Carter-Williams misses the first few games of the season. 

Carter-Williams averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.2 assists in his first season last year. He had a remarkable NBA debut, falling three rebounds and one steal short of the incredibly rare quadruple-double with 22 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds and nine steals in a 114-110 win over the Miami Heat. 

- Marc Weinreich