Tag: De’Anthony Melton

Sixers’ Nick Nurse discusses unfortunate injury for De’Anthony Melton

Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse gives his thoughts on the unfortunate injury timing for De’Anthony Melton.

PHILADELPHIA — De’Anthony Melton has been having a terrific season on the floor for the Philadelphia 76ers. In the 36 games he has played, Melton is averaging 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists along with 1.6 steals and shooting 36.2% from deep.

Unfortunately for Melton, he has also been dealing with a back injury all season long. He missed games in early January with the issue, returned for two games, but then missed 18 games from Jan. 12 to Feb. 23 due to the injury.

He then played three games before another back injury in Tuesday’s loss to the Boston Celtics. The Sixers announced that Melton was out for Friday’s contest with the Charlotte Hornets as well as the team’s upcoming quick 2-game road trip.

When considering how little games are left in the 2023-24 season, one has to wonder if this is it for Melton for the season. However, coach Nick Nurse doesn’t believe this will keep him out.

“I don’t think so,” said Nurse. “I don’t think so. No. I think that he had a good stretch of practices and felt fine and then didn’t feel fine again coming out of Boston so they’re back at it. He’s got a couple of days here to work on it and look at it and starting next week, we’ll have a better idea.”

Melton is a very important part of this team. Not only do the Sixers need him on the floor, but he’s also entering free agency this offseason. One has to feel sorry for Melton going through this back injury at such a crucial time for him.

“For sure,” Nurse added. “I think that he’s certainly an important part of our team, right? Got kind of a good steady demeanor and calm guy out there and he’s got some instincts defensively that are super special, right? That’s one thing as far as that goes, but yeah, he’s in an important time of his career personally as well. So let’s just hope we can get back him out there. There’s a lot of games to go yet for him this year.”

With Melton set to miss the next three games, there will be 21 games left when Philadelphia returns home on March 6 to host the Memphis Grizzlies.

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Full injury report for De’Anthony Melton, Sixers vs. Hornets at home

Here is the full injury report for De’Anthony Melton and the Philadelphia 76ers as they take on the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.

The Philadelphia 76ers will get back at it on Friday to play host to the Charlotte Hornets looking to snap a 2-game skid. The Hornets have been playing well since the All-Star break, but even with the injuries the Sixers are dealing with, Philadelphia should win this contest.

In terms of who’s in and who’s out for the Sixers, Joel Embiid (left knee meniscus procedure) and Robert Covington (left knee bone bruise) will remain sidelined. Embiid has hopes that he will return during the regular season while Covington is likely weeks away.

De’Anthony Melton is back on the injury report due to lumbar spine bone stress. He left Tuesday’s loss to the Celtics due to back spasms and one has to wonder how long Melton will be sidelined with the injury.

KJ Martin is listed as questionable due to a right ankle impingement.

The Sixers will be looking to pick up a much-needed win. They have fallen to the No. 6 seed in the East and need to find a way to stay afloat until Embiid returns.

Tip off with the Hornets is set for 7 p.m. EST on Friday.

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Nick Nurse provides grim injury update on Sixers’ De’Anthony Melton

Coach Nick Nurse gives a grim injury update on Philadelphia 76ers guard De’Anthony Melton.

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers have been dealing with a significant injury adversity over the past month or so. While Joel Embiid works his way back from an injury, the Sixers lost another key piece.

De’Anthony Melton, who made his return on Feb. 23 after he missed roughly five weeks with a back issue, left Tuesday’s loss to the Boston Celtics with back spasms.

As the Sixers returned to practice on Thursday, Melton was not there, and coach Nick Nurse gave a grim update on his return. He also discussed injured forward KJ Martin’s recovery.

“KJ went through about three-quarters of practice today (Thursday),” said Nurse. “Still not quite clear to like, go all out. That could change at any time though. He’s getting a little bit better every day. And Melt is out. We don’t know how long for.”

This is a tough blow for Melton. He has played 36 games this season, averaging 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 36.2% from deep.

He enters free agency in the offseason, and these back injuries instead of his play have made a statement before his free agency. He is a valuable player due to his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor, and the Sixers will certainly miss him.

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Nick Nurse addresses De’Anthony Melton’s injury, Sixers’ loss to Celtics

Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse addresses De’Anthony Melton’s injury and the loss to the Boston Celtics on the road.

BOSTON — The Philadelphia 76ers fell to the Boston Celtics, 117-99, on Tuesday night, and they dropped to 7-17 in games Joel Embiid has not played. The Sixers shot 39.4% compared to 52.7% from the floor for the Celtics.

Along with losing the game, the Sixers lost yet another key piece: De’Anthony Melton.

Melton did not return to the floor after halftime due to what the team called back spasms. That is not a good sign for a guy who just missed over a month due to lumbar spine stress response.

“Just didn’t come out after the half,” coach Nick Nurse said after the loss. “I think it’s the same. I think it’s a back issue.”

One has to wonder if Melton will miss more time for Philadelphia. Back issues are nothing to play with, and with only 24 games left before the playoffs, the Sixers will want to be cautious with Melton to get him ready for the postseason.

“I don’t know about that, I mean, but we’re certainly concerned that it’s the same thing because we’ve taken a lot of time off to try to get it to a position of in a better place, but I haven’t really got a report on that yet,” Nurse said of any concern on Melton. “So why don’t you hit me tomorrow or the next day on that? I’ll have a little more info for you.”

As far as the game is concerned, the Sixers gave themselves a chance. Despite a 20-point deficit, they rallied to within two, 91-89, in the fourth before the Celtics responded with a 16-0 run to put the game away.

“They really started putting their head down and getting to the basket or drawing fouls,” Nurse stated. “Just kind of consistently and we had a couple of empty offensive possessions. We had about three stretches in the game I thought — maybe four — but one in the first half where we had six or eight point lead, three or four empty possessions, a couple turnovers in there. That lead went away.”

Philadelphia led by as many as seven as Tyrese Maxey played well to give the Sixers a chance.

“To start the third, just again like couldn’t even play defense in transition every time because of not great shot selection or not generating a good enough shot now that down at that end,” Nurse added. “It kind of the same thing happened right at the 91-89 mark.”

The Sixers had their chances. They earned some wide-open looks in the fourth, but those opportunities did not drop. The execution also wasn’t there.

“I thought we had some chances,” Nurse finished. “We just didn’t — we dumped a couple off inside and didn’t finish them. We had a couple open 3s that didn’t go either and it was just, again, it was playing defense in transition and they were really physical going into the basket and scoring or going to the line.”

The Sixers return home to host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.

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De’Anthony Melton discusses back issue after return in Sixers win

De’Anthony Melton gives an update on his back issue after his return for the Philadelphia 76ers in a win.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers got a bit healthier on Friday as they welcomed De’Anthony Melton back to the lineup in a 104-97 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The versatile guard had seven points in 16 minutes off the bench after missing roughly five weeks due to lumbar spine stress response.

Melton is an important piece of what the Sixers want to do. He is another option on the perimeter on the offensive end with his shooting ability and he is somebody who is going to get after it on the defensive end of the floor. He played a role in Friday’s win over the Cavs.

“Man, I think just from the time waking up I think I was just excited finally knowing I’ll be able to suit it up with my teammates, and stuff like that,” Melton said. “I felt pretty good. Got the proper stuff that I needed. Mentally I was just wanting to go out there and do whatever I can to help my team.”

There were times out there when he looked a bit winded, but considering it’s his first game back since Jan. 12, that is to be expected.

“Conditioning’s an issue, but I think he looked bouncy and springy and athletic tonight,” coach Nick Nurse said of Melton. “He guarded well and he sprung right into that first 3-ball and he got tied up a little bit playing one-on-one but again I thought he looked like he was moving really good early. I think conditioning caught up with him. It’s been about a month so he’s gonna take a couple games before he’s ready to probably play some extended minutes at top athletic ability.”

Tyrese Maxey, who is a close friend of Melton’s on the team, was very happy to see him back on the floor.

“Oh, my goodness. Yes. Yes,” Maxey said. “I was just telling him I was so happy to see him just active. Reaching and hacking and fouling and doing all the De’Anthony Melton stuff that he does and it just he looked happy. He looked excited. He looked bouncy. Looked springy and I’m glad we got him for a long haul.”

A back injury can be tricky. The Sixers want to take things slow with Melton as he moves forward and Philadelphia wants to make sure he is going to be ready for the big games and matchups in the future.

“Just physically taking hits,” Melton said of any challenges at the moment. “Taking hits and landing and stuff like that has been the biggest thing. When I first got out there, I was a little nervous just to hit somebody off rip, but once I hit somebody, I felt pretty good about how the back responded. Now it’s just pretty much mentally and staying on top of my rehab.”

The Sixers will take on the Milwaukee Bucks at home on Sunday.

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Full injury report for De’Anthony Melton, Sixers vs. Knicks at home

Here is the full injury report for De’Anthony Melton and the Philadelphia 76ers as they take on the New York Knicks at home on Thursday.

The Philadelphia 76ers will get back at it on Thursday when they take on the New York Knicks at home. Philadelphia is fifth in the Eastern Conference coming out of the All-Star break, a half game behind the Knicks.

The Sixers continue to be short-handed. Joel Embiid (left knee meniscus procedure), De’Anthony Melton (lumbar spine stress response) and Robert Covington (left knee bone bruise) are out.

Embiid will be reevaluated in early March. Melton was at practice on Wednesday, but he will remain out and hasn’t remained out since Jan. 12. Covington hasn’t played since Dec. 30.

Nic Batum is listed as questionable due to a left hamstring strain. He hasn’t played since Jan. 29.

Tobias Harris, who missed the final two games before the All-Star break due to a left hip impingement, is not listed on the injury report.

Tip off on Thursday between the Sixers and the Knicks is set for 7 p.m. EST from the Wells Fargo Center.

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Coach Nick Nurse provides update on Nic Batum, other injured Sixers

Coach Nick Nurse gave an update on Nic Batum and the other injured members of the Philadelphia 76ers.

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers returned to practice on Wednesday to prepare for the final 28 games of the season following the All-Star break. The Sixers are 32-22 and fifth in the Eastern Conference as they head into this stretch run of the season.

The Sixers need to get healthy to make a serious run in the Eastern Conference. Not only will they need Joel Embiid (left knee meniscus) to return, but they also need Nic Batum, De’Anthony Melton, Robert Covington and Tobias Harris back on the floor.

Batum hasn’t played since Jan. 29 due to a left hamstring strain. Melton hasn’t played since Jan. 12 due to lumbar spine stress response, and Covington hasn’t played since Dec. 30 due to a bone bruise in his left knee. Harris missed the final two games before the All-Star break due to a left hip impingement.

“Yeah, everybody was in today,” said coach Nick Nurse after practice. “Everybody was in the full practice other than Covington and Joel, obviously.”

It appears that the Sixers will get at least one of Batum and Melton back from injury on Thursday against the New York Knicks. Philadelphia will need versatility on both ends of the floor.

“I think Nico looks pretty likely,” Nurse added. “Melt, we’ve probably just got to make sure he’s OK tomorrow morning. I’d say we’ll get one, maybe both, but one for sure.”

As far as Covington is concerned, the veteran out of Tennessee State doesn’t appear any closer to a return. Nurse is not sure when he will have him back on the floor.

“Not that I know of,” Nurse said of any Covington progression. “I did check with (VP of Athlete Care) Simon (Rice) today about where his status was, and he said probably return to play in like three weeks. So that’s out there a bit, but he did say that’s kind of what he thought today.”

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Nick Nurse had De’Anthony Melton, other injured Sixers return to practice

Coach Nick Nurse had De’Anthony Melton and the other injured Philadelphia 76ers return to practice on Tuesday.

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers got back at it on Tuesday as the continue to grow as a team under the guidance of coach Nick Nurse. Following a terrific road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, the Sixers got to their facility for practice.

Philadelphia had some players return on Monday as well. De’Anthony Melton, Nic Batum, and Tobias Harris were all at least able to participate in some of practice on Tuesday. Melton hasn’t played since Jan. 12 due to lumbar spine stress response, Batum hasn’t played since Jan. 29 due to a left hamstring strain, and Harris is dealing with a left hip impingement.

“De’Anthony, Nico, and Tobias all did partial today,” said coach Nick Nurse. “That probably doesn’t get us much closer to knowing what’s going to happen for tomorrow yet. They were on the court for what they could do today.”

The Sixers will take on the Miami Heat on Wednesday for their final game before the All-Star break. The break will allow those guys to continue to rest up and heal from their nagging injuries going forward.

“It should be,” Nurse said of the break. “Hardly anybody is not at least tired, or nicked up or banged up a little bit, right? So it should give us a chance to get a few guys back — and then there are a couple guys that are probably playing through a little bit of stuff as well. I think probably the best news of it all is I think everybody’s finally out of the sickness for now — actually on the other side of it. So that’s also good news.”

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Full injury report for De’Anthony Melton, Sixers vs. Warriors at home

Here is the full injury report for De’Anthony Melton and the Philadelphia 76ers against the Golden State Warriors at home.

The Philadelphia 76ers will play host to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday as they look to get back on track. The Sixers have lost six of their last seven games and are searching for ways to win while short-handed.

For the time being, the Sixers will be without Joel Embiid. The big fella will be reevaluated in four weeks after undergoing a procedure to repair a meniscus injury in his left knee.

As for the other injured Sixers, De’Anthony Melton (lumbar spine stress response), Robert Covington (left knee bone bruise) and Nic Batum (left hamstring strain) are listed as out against the Warriors.

Melton has not played since Jan. 12 due to his back injury flaring up again, but he has done some on-court work in practice recently. Covington has not played since Dec. 30, and coach Nick Nurse said there isn’t any light at the end of that tunnel. Batum hasn’t played since Jan. 29.

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Sixers provide injury updates on De’Anthony Melton, Robert Covington

The Philadelphia 76ers provide the latest injury updates on De’Anthony Melton and Robert Covington before their road trip.

CAMDEN, N.J. — As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare for a grueling five-game road trip, they are looking to pick up some wins while getting healthy.

The Sixers have been without De’Anthony Melton (lumbar spine stress response) since a Jan. 12 win against the Sacramento Kings. He missed four games with lumbar spine soreness and returned for two games, but coach Nick Nurse and the staff didn’t like the way he was moving. They have sat him in a bid to get him right for the second half of the schedule.

Melton has completed an offloading period and will begin ramping up his activity ahead of his return to play. He will travel with the Sixers and will be re-evaluated in a week.

Then, there’s Robert Covington who hasn’t played since Dec. 30 due to left knee inflammation. He has received treatment over the previous three weeks to address the inflammation and the bone bruise. He is listed as out and will be re-evaluated in 3-to-4 weeks.

Along with the injuries to Melton and Covington, the Sixers are looking to get Marcus Morris Sr., Patrick Beverley, Mo Bamba and Jaden Springer back in the lineup. They have missed some games recently due to their own issues.

“Marcus Morris, Pat, Jaden Springer were all in practice today (Wednesday),” said coach Nick Nurse. “Mo and Melt are still on the — Mo did some individual work. Melt is getting ready to do some as well. So those guys are not ready, but the rest of them should be OK by tomorrow barring anything else.”

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