Due to a hamstring injury, Nicolas Batum is expected to miss some time, and Robert Covington and Marcus Morris, Sr. have contracted the team’s illness.
Monday’s loss to the Bulls has proven costly, especially when the Sixers were finally healthy and emotions were at an all-time high.
Head coach Nick Nurse reported that Robert Covington, Nicolas Batum, and Marcus Morris, Sr. were absent from practice on Tuesday.
Batum missed the conclusion of the Sixers’ 108-104 loss to Chicago due to right hamstring tightness. It can be difficult to deal with hamstring problems, particularly for a 35-year-old who is frequently asked to guard the best perimeter player on the other team, like Batum. It’s a relief that the nurse said it’s not “major,” but we’ll see.
Morris was sick, so he missed the game on Monday night. Morris and Covington missed practice on Tuesday, as was already mentioned. Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, De’Anthony Melton, and Jaden Springer have all appeared on the injury report in recent weeks due to illness. Covington, who played for 14 minutes yesterday, was present with the team but Morris was not.
The Sixers’ wing and general depth take a significant hit with Batum and possibly Morris and Covington out. Not to mention Embiid, who is juggling a personal hamstring problem. Despite being rated as questionable before the game, Embiid scored 40 points in just 37 minutes during Monday’s defeat.
Things get much harder for the Sixers after they easily navigated the easiest portion of their schedule. The West-leading Timberwolves are scheduled to visit the city on Wednesday night. Minnesota has the strongest defense in the NBA, led by Rudy Gobert. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns are dangerous scorers, despite the fact that their offense has performed in the middle of the pack overall. It will be the most difficult test the Sixers have encountered this year.