Sixers Update Nic Batum’s Status vs. Pelicans

UPDATE: Nic Batum is OUT vs. Pelicans on Friday.

On Friday night, the Philadelphia 76ers are set to host the New Orleans Pelicans. While the Sixers already expected to head into the matchup shorthanded, they added another surprising name to the injury report as Nic Batum has been downgraded.

Listed as questionable on the injury report, the Sixers’ forward is dealing with left foot soreness. He is likely considered a game-time decision for the matchup.

This year, Batum made his way to Philadelphia early on in the season. In the trade between the Sixers and the Los Angeles Clippers, which moved James Harden out West, Batum ended up getting packaged and sent to South Philly, where he would play out the final season of his current contract.

Batum’s first stretch with the Sixers involved him missing scattered games due to personal reasons. When the trade was made official, Batum didn’t debut until the third game, when he was officially considered a member of the roster. After Batum played for a four-game stretch, he had a three-game absence due to personal reasons once again.

Batum missed 20 games for Philly since joining the Sixers. His most recent string of absences started on January 30. He missed nine games in a row before returning to action against the New York Knicks on February 22.

In Batum’s last eight appearances, he’s come off the bench for five outings. Averaging 22 minutes on the court, the veteran produced five points per game while shooting just 29 percent from deep. While Batum has struggled to return to his earlier form, the veteran has proven to be a solid contributor for the Sixers overall.

Since his debut, the veteran has started in 30 of the 39 games he played for the Sixers. Throuhgout the year, Batum averaged six points, four rebounds, and two assists, while knocking down 43 percent of his shots.

Batum will be a player to keep an eye on heading into Friday’s game, as his potential absence could shake up the rotation.