Tag: Robert Covington

Nick Nurse gives latest updates on De’Anthony Melton, Robert Covington

Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse gives the latest updates on the injured De’Anthony Melton and Robert Covington.

MIAMI — The Philadelphia 76ers welcomed back Joel Embiid from his long injury recovery and that was a big help to the franchise, but there are two other key pieces still missing from the lineup: De’Anthony Melton and Robert Covington.

Melton, a starter for this group, has not played since Feb. 27 due to lumbar spine bone stress. He has played only five games since Dec. 30. It was initially lumbar spine soreness and then he returned on Feb. 23 and played three games before leaving on Feb. 27 in a loss to the Boston Celtics.

Covington has not played since Dec. 30 due to a left knee bone bruise.

The Sixers haven’t ruled them out for the season just yet, but when considering how little time is left, it may come to that.

“I think we’re still trying with both of them, right?” coach Nick Nurse. “I think we’re still trying. I think they’re getting on the court. That’s always a good sign so I think they’re still a little ways away. I think there’s some—once you get on the court and go through some stuff—there’s always some time that needs to pass and they gotta play against live competition, all that kind of stuff, so we’re trying. I don’t think we’ll rule them out unless we absolutely have to for good, but we’ll see.”

Melton and Covington have to be able to overcome some obstacles before they can make their return to the floor. Obstacles such as getting over the swelling and getting over some pain in order to return, but with time running out on the season, one has to wonder if they will be able to make that return.

“For sure,” Nurse added. “I think they’re just trying to get better and see if they are better, if they can tolerate things, if the injury reoccurs, get some swelling, or whatever the case may be. It’s two different things kind of. So yeah, that’d be the case.”

Melton will be a free agent in the offseason and he was having a terrific season before the injury. He was averaging 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists along with 1.6 steals per game. He is a guy who can contribute on both ends of the floor and it’s tough to see that his season could end with him sidelined due to a back injury.

“He was a starter for us, right?” Nurse said of Melton. “You know? He was a starter for us. He started a lot of games a year ago. He was a very good defensive player. He can make the open shot, like you said, he makes good plays and makes good reads on the defensive end, and he’s an experienced guy.”

It remains to be seen whether Melton and Covington will be able to return for Philadelphia.

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Nick Nurse gives updates on Joel Embiid, other progressing Sixers

Coach Nick Nurse gives updates on Joel Embiid and the other progressing injured Philadelphia 76ers players.

PHILADELPHIA — At this stage of the 2023-24 season for the Philadelphia 76ers, all eyes are on Joel Embiid. The big fella has not played since Jan. 30 when he injured his left knee and underwent surgery to repair a meniscus tear on Feb. 6.

With only nine games left in the regular season after the Sixers face the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night, one has to wonder about the status of the big fella.

“I haven’t met with him,” coach Nick Nurse said before the contest with the Clippers. “I have talked with him. FaceTimed with him a couple times, but I haven’t met with him yet. No. He’s on the court as you guys know, and we still don’t have a timeline for his return.”

Nurse and the Sixers have continued to say he is on the court as he continues his rehab.

“I would imagine he’s getting better each day,” Nurse continued. “So he’s just trying to get him strong and confident and in shape and ramped up and all those wonderful words.”

When asked specifically of what kind of work Embiid is doing, Nurse didn’t specify. He kept it to the fact that he was out there working.

“He’s out there working?” he said succinctly. “He’s out there working. He’s doing lots of skill work and things like that and just trying to continue to advance all that stuff.

He’s on the court so we’ll let you know when we get to those stages.”

Again, the question becomes whether Embiid will return before the season ends. The Sixers are eighth in the Eastern Conference which would require them to play at least one play-in game. If Embiid can return before the season ends, there is a hope that he could lift them out of the play-in zone, sixth place.

“I think there’s a very good likelihood that he will return before the play-in, playoff,” stated Nurse. “Yeah.”

Then, there’s the status of Robert Covington and De’Anthony Melton. Covington has not played since Dec. 30 due to a left knee bone bruise and Melton hasn’t played since Feb. 27 due to lumbar spine bone stress.

“Cov is progressing a little bit,” said Nurse. “It looks like he could make a return here at some point. Again, we’re not sure. It’s, again, all these things are very similar. They put in a lot of work one day and you gotta wait to see how it responds and see when they get to go again, but he’s making some progress.”

As for Melton, it is not as clear.

“Melt is probably not as close yet,” he finished. “He’s still kind of on a pain tolerance thing, but again, we’re kind of hopeful that both of them will be back before this regular season ends. Yeah.”

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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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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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Nick Nurse gives updates on De’Anthony Melton, other injured Sixers

Coach Nick Nurse gives an update on De’Anthony Melton and the other injured Philadelphia 76ers.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers continue to grow under coach Nick Nurse and learn the way he wants them to play. To do that, they need everybody to be on the floor and be healthy.

As the Sixers get set for the San Antonio Spurs on Monday at home, they will be missing:

  • De’Anthony Melton due to lumbar spine stress response
  • Patrick Beverley due to an illness
  • Mo Bamba due to right knee inflammation
  • Robert Covington due to left knee inflammation
  • Jaden Springer due to right ankle tendinitis
  • Marcus Morris Sr. due to left foot plantar fasciitis

Before the matchup with the Spurs, Nurse updated the conditions of Melton and the other injured Sixers.

“OK, so let’s go through them all really quick,” Nurse stated. “Pat Bev is still sick so we’re hoping he’ll get better and be back shortly. Marcus we’re hoping as well this is a one-game thing with him. Cov is out for a good chunk yet I think, but we’re hoping to get a bigger update on that. Melt is the one that’s probably a little closer. We should get a good eval on our next practice whenever that is Tuesday or Wednesday. Jaden is also kind of day-to-day and I think Mo is day-to-day as well.”

Covington has not played since Dec. 30 as he recovers from the knee issue. One has to wonder when he will be able to return. The Sixers have a five-game road trip following this home contest.

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Full injury report for Robert Covington, Sixers vs. Magic on the road

Here is the full injury report for Robert Covington and the Philadelphia 76ers when they take on the Orlando Magic on the road.

The Philadelphia 76ers take on the Orlando Magic on Friday to begin a two-game road trip and they will be short-handed.

Robert Covington, who has not played since Dec. 30, will miss both games of the road trip due to left knee inflammation. The Sixers miss his defensive versatility and shooting.

The Sixers will also be without De’Anthony Melton for both games due to lumbar spine stress response. Mo Bamba will miss the matchup with the Magic due to right knee inflammation.

Jaden Springer remains questionable due to right ankle tendinitis.

While Covington, Melton and Bamba remain out, the Sixers look to others to step up. That means Kelly Oubre Jr. has to step in and continue to produce at a high level in place of Covington and Melton.

As for the Magic, they will be without Franz Wagner due to a right ankle sprain and Gary Harris due to a right calf strain. Tip off from the KIA Center is set for 7 p.m. EST.

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Robert Covington to miss road trip; Sixers hope for a return soon

Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington will miss the upcoming road trip, but the team is hoping he will return soon.

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers visit the Orlando Magic and the Charlotte Hornets on Friday and Saturday for a two-game road trip. They will be a bit short-handed in both games.

De’Anthony Melton is out for the trip as the Sixers work through his lumbar spine stress response. Philadelphia will also be without Robert Covington, who has not played since Dec. 30 due to a left knee injury.

As the Sixers got back to work on Thursday at practice, coach Nick Nurse gave an update on Covington, who has been dealing with left knee swelling.

“It’s been off for the most recent future here,” Nurse said of Covington’s swelling. “It was on and off, on and off, but it’s it hasn’t been any swelling in the last three or four days. So it’s pretty good sign. He’s not going to make the trip, but he is going to work here. while he’s here. So hopefully we’re getting there.”

A timetable for Covington remains unclear. Nurse hopes Covington will be able to return sooner rather than later. That could mean when Philadelphia returns from the trip to host the San Antonio Spurs on Monday or sometime next week.

“I would say again, I think that we know he’s not making the trip, but he is like doing a lot of stuff now,” Nurse stated. “So I would say we’re getting around, you know, it should be right around the corner. We’re hoping to get a good eval after this trip, and hopefully, it’ll be ready to go by then, but it’s hopeful.”

In 26 games with the Sixers since the trade, Covington is averaging 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 44.9% from the floor and 35.4% from deep.

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Full injury report for Joel Embiid, Sixers vs. Rockets in home matchup

Here is the full injury report for Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers as they take on the Houston Rockets at home on Monday.

The Philadelphia 76ers look to pick up another win when they play host to the Houston Rockets on Monday afternoon. The Sixers snapped a three-game losing skid on Friday and are looking for a second consecutive win.

Joel Embiid, who returned to practice for the Sixers on Sunday, is listed as questionable due to left knee inflammation. Coach Nick Nurse said the big fella was a full participant at practice, so one has to assume that he will return for this one.

Robert Covington, who missed practice on Sunday, is listed as out due to left knee inflammation. He has not played since Dec. 30. De’Anthony Melton is also listed as out due to lumbar spine stress response. Mo Bamba is doubtful due to right knee fat pad impingement.

If the Sixers get Embiid back, that will be a big help, of course. The Sixers are off to a terrific start in the 2023-24 season and look to continue to build with the big fella leading the way.

Tip off with the Rockets is set for 1 p.m. EST on Monday.

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Sixers had Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr. return to practice from injuries

The Philadelphia 76ers welcomed Joel Embiid and Kelly Oubre Jr. back to practice on Sunday from their injuries.

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers got back to work on Sunday looking to build on Friday’s win over the Sacramento Kings. The Sixers were able to snap a 3-game losing skid and Philadelphia is looking to build and get healthy again.

The Sixers did receive some good news on Sunday when Joel Embiid returned to practice. The big fella has missed three games in a row due to left knee swelling and he has missed seven of the past nine games overall due to injuries.

As Philadelphia prepares for the Houston Rockets on Monday, coach Nick Nurse was happy to have Embiid return, but there is no real answer on his status for Monday.

“He went through the full practice and, as you can see, he’s still out there working,” said Nurse. “Moving good and he looks good. I think he’s hopeful for tomorrow night. We’re not ready to make a call on it yet, but we’ll see probably as usual pregame to see how everything goes. Tonight, tomorrow, and go from there.”

As far as Kelly Oubre Jr. is concerned, he was a late scratch for Friday due to a big right toe issue. Nurse gave a positive update as they welcomed Oubre back to practice as well.

“Kelly was in full practice,” he said. “Cov (Robert Covington) was out full practice.”

Covington has not played since Dec. 30 due to a left knee issue. Nurse explained that the swelling comes and goes and the Sixers have to take it day by day at this point.

“I mean, it’s the same thing,” Nurse finished. “It’s just kinda coming and going with the swelling. One day it doesn’t, one day it does and the days it doesn’t, we’re hopeful, and the days that it does, you gotta kinda go back to the drawing board so we’re still trying to work through that.”

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Nick Nurse gives injury updates on Sixers’ Kelly Oubre Jr., Robert Covington

Coach Nick Nurse gave injury updates on Philadelphia 76ers forwards Kelly Oubre Jr. and Robert Covington after a home win.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers received some tough news before a 112-93 win over the Sacramento Kings that Kelly Oubre Jr. would be ruled out due to a big right toe issue. Philadelphia was already ailing due to the injuries to Joel Embiid and Robert Covington so losing Oubre was tough.

Obviously, the Sixers were able to overcome his loss and pick up the win, but as Philadelphia moves forward, it will need Oubre on the floor because of the lift he gives the Sixers with his scoring.

“He’s had a little bit of a toe issue, but it hasn’t held him out of anything leading up to the game,” coach Nick Nurse said of Oubre. “They went out there and did his warm-up and kind of jammed it a little bit and they tried to tape it and take him out there again and it still wasn’t good and they tried a different tape and he just got ruled out at the end that it was too sore to play on tonight.”

Nurse did add that the medical staff is not concerned with the injury, and that it was more precautionary than anything.

“They’re not overly concerned with it,” he explained. “He has had it for a little bit, but it just kind of flamed up in his workout tonight.”

As for Covington, he missed his fifth straight game as he was listed out due to left knee inflammation. The Sixers have not had his services since Dec. 30 against the Chicago Bulls.

With Philadelphia set to take a day off on Saturday, Nurse is hoping Covington can return before Monday’s tilt with the Houston Rockets.

“Cov has been on the court the last two days,” said Nurse. “I think that they’re hoping everything’s cool and that he can go full tilt on Sunday and be cleared to play.”

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