76ers Won't Change Nic Batum's Status for Friday’s Game vs. Hawks

The Philadelphia 76ers have entered the last couple of games shorthanded. Friday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks won’t be any different.

For the third-straight game, the Sixers will roll without the veteran forward Nic Batum. According to the Sixers’ Thursday night injury report, Batum remains out due to personal reasons.

Ever since the Sixers landed Batum in a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, the veteran has been in and out of the rotation as he’s been dealing with a personal matter. After the day he was traded to the Sixers officially, Batum was away from the team, missing two straight games.

Batum’s debut came on November 6 against the Washington Wizards. He checked into the game for 17 minutes off the bench, scoring 11 points. For the next two games, Batum saw an increase in playing time. He averaged 26 minutes off the bench. When the Sixers lost Kelly Oubre last week to an off-court incident, Batum saw a promotion, joining the Sixers’ starting five.

In his first start with the Sixers, Batum collected 33 minutes of playing time. He shot 60 percent from the field, scoring nine points. He also came down with seven rebounds and blocked three shots. After his first start on the Sixers, Batum went away from the team. On Wednesday, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse addressed the timeline for the veteran’s return.

“He told me that he would be in Brooklyn,” Nurse said. “He said I might make it to the Atlanta game, but I’ll be in Brooklyn for sure.”

It turns out that Batum will not make it to Atlanta, barring any unexpected changes. As of Thursday night, the Sixers anticipate playing without the veteran forward. In the absence of Batum and Oubre, the Sixers will likely roll with Robert Covington in the starting five once again.