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Sixers Veteran Misses Practice for Play-In Preparation

The Philadelphia 76ers missed one of their veterans for Monday's practice.
Justin Grasso|
Nov 27, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and guard
Nov 27, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and guard | Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

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Philadelphia 76ersMiami Heat

The Philadelphia 76ers are typically enjoying some extended rest this week. This year is different, as the Sixers are set to take on the Miami Heat on Wednesday night for the battle of the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

Philly hopes to have a healthy roster by the time Wednesday’s outing approaches. However, they anticipate some absences.

The veteran wing Robert Covington hasn’t played in months. While the Sixers were hopeful for a potential return by the end of the regular season, Covington never received clearance to play before Sunday’s finale against the Brooklyn Nets. The chances of Covington making it back for the postseason are slim.

Two other key names on the Sixers’ recent injury report happen to be the veteran guard De’Anthony Melton and the seven-time All-Star, Joel Embiid.

Both players missed Sunday’s action against the Nets. The latter veteran returned to the practice court on Monday morning. As for Melton, he did not participate in Monday or Tuesday's session, according to the head coach, Nick Nurse.

Following Sunday’s win over the Nets, Nurse had a not-so-encouraging update regarding Melton heading into the Play-In Tournament.

“They’re going to continue to treat him and try to get him better,” Nurse told reporters. “We’re hoping for a long run here so there’s still always time as this goes to get him back and be a factor in this thing, but it is concerning.”

The Sixers haven’t ruled Melton out for Wednesday’s game just yet, but all signs are pointing towards another absence for the veteran guard. If Melton is off the floor on Wednesday, it would mark the third setback he’s experienced since initially going out with a back injury in January.

The Sixers and the Heat will meet on Wednesday with tip-off scheduled for 7 PM ET.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s Philadelphia 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia Threads: @JGrassoMedia

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