The update on Philadelphia 76ers second year point guard Markelle Fultz is finally here. Per a report by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Fultz is returning to Philadelphia to rejoin the team and will “try to ramp up for an eventual return” this season.
Fultz has missed the team’s last 27 games while rehabbing in California after being diagnosed with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.
Per Wojnarowski (via ESPN:)
“Guard Markelle Fultz has rejoined the Philadelphia 76ers to continue therapy on a shoulder condition, pushing for a return to the lineup this season, league sources told ESPN.
There’s no timetable yet on Fultz playing again this year, league sources said.
Fultz flew on a red-eye flight from Los Angeles and arrived Saturday where he met with Sixers officials prior to today’s game against Oklahoma City, sources said.”
In the update, Wojnarowski reports that Fultz’s agent Raymond Brothers has indicated his client’s shoulder is “regaining strength and mobility” and that Brothers believes it will “improve” the jump shot that has so far failed Fultz in his brief career.
The update offers little in terms of a time table for Fultz’s return-to-action. However that he is rejoining the team and at least planning to play again this season is significant.
It was reported by Jared Weiss, Derek Bodner, and Sam Amick of The Athletic back in November 2018 that the guard from Washington would “prefer a fresh start with a new team.”
The team is in the midst of its most grueling stretch of the season. They’re short on depth off the bench. Fultz’s return might be a welcome sight to a coaching staff looking to free agency for any help it can get.
This season Fultz averaged 8.2 points per game, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 19 games for the Sixers.
Per Keith Pompey of Philly.com, Fultz will attend tonight’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Sixers have not beaten the Thunder in their last 18 head-to-head matchups.