Sixers News: De'Anthony Melton Discusses Injury as Absence Continues
With just 36 games under his belt this season, Philadelphia 76ers veteran De’Anthony Melton is focused on getting back on the floor for the final stretch of the year.
Currently, Melton is dealing with a back issue that lingered throughout the season and took him off the floor for multiple stretches.
On Friday, Melton spoke publicly for the first time in weeks. Holding a community event in Camden, New Jersey, Melton offered a quick update on his recovery.
“[I’m] Feeling good,” the guard told reporters, according to Clutch Points’ Sam DiGiovanni. Just trying to go day by day, see where it's at. Every day could be different so just trying to keep going with it.”
Melton’s back concerns started after the team’s December 30 loss against the Chicago Bulls. When the Sixers opened 2024 with a rematch versus the Bulls, Melton was inactive. He was absent for three-straight games before returning on January 10 to face the Atlanta Hawks.
Two games later, Melton was back on the injury report once again. From January 15 to February 22, Melton remained off the court. After missing 18 games in a row, he made his return on February 23 to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Once again, Melton’s return to action was short-lived, lasting just three games. At the start of March, Melton went inactive. He’s now on pace to miss his ninth-straight game when the Sixers face the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night.
The Sixers currently don’t have a target date for a return made public. However, the team noted that he started an “offloading period” on March 6, and the plan would be for him to be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks.
Soon, Melton could get an opportunity to begin practicing, but he hasn’t reached that point just yet. Considering how his last return to action went, the Sixers are likely to remain extra cautious to avoid additional setbacks.
