When the schedule came out before the 2020-21 season, a matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Portland Trail Blazers looked like it was going to be a big matchup. Both teams feature big names and it looked like they would clash with each other in this one.
Instead, both teams will be very shorthanded as the teams head into this matchup.
The Trail Blazers will be missing their explosive star backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum due to injuries and now the Sixers are going to be missing one of their stars as Ben Simmons will be out with left calf tightness. He suffered it in Wednesday’s win over the Charlotte Hornets.
“I don’t think it’s long term,” said coach Doc Rivers. “I think he’ll be fine. It started last night, honestly, and then after the game, he was complaining about it. He did our walk-through today with us and it’s a late scratch.”
Ben Simmons is out tonight with left calf tightness #Sixers
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) February 4, 2021
It will be interesting to see how the Sixers will look without Simmons as one has to assume that either Shake Milton or Tyrese Maxey will get the start in his place. Tipoff from the Wells Fargo Center is set for 8 p.m. EST.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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