CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers will welcome Kelly Oubre Jr. back to the lineup on Wednesday when they visit the Washington Wizards. The veteran out of Kansas has missed 11 games in a row since fracturing a rib on Nov. 11 when he was struck by a vehicle.
Since then, Oubre Jr. has had to overcome a number of physical and mental obstacles. Now ready to roll on Wednesday, he has passed the tests needed to get back on the floor. The Sixers need his production: They went 5-6 without him.
Coach Nick Nurse has been taking the advice and guidance of the medical staff, and as the veteran returns, he plans on rolling Oubre out there in a full role.
“Well, I’ll probably fire him right back in there,” Nurse said at practice on Monday. “Let me see what it looks like getting to Wednesday. I think that it could matter if there’s other guys in or out, right? But I would imagine, like, if everybody’s healthy, he’s coming off the bench, and he’s coming probably pretty early. We’re going to try to fire him right back in there.”
Oubre had to go through a great deal in the rehab process to make sure he was in the best shape to return. A fractured rib is tough to come back from.
“Rehab was slow and steady, but yeah, we’re here,” Oubre said. “I feel good and I believe I’m ready to play.”
Oubre isn’t sure what his role will be on Wednesday or how many minutes he will play. This is all about him getting back on the floor and being able to contribute at a high level again.
“No sir,” Oubre Jr. stated. “I have not spoken to coach, but he gets paid the big bucks to make the big decisions. So I’m ready. I’ll be ready for war.”
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