76ers: Latest on De’Anthony Melton’s Injury After Knicks Game

The Philadelphia 76ers’ starting lineup missed its shooting guard, De’Anthony Melton, once again on Friday night. As the Sixers faced the New York Knicks for the first time this season, they went into the matchup shorthanded, down Melton and a couple of reserves.

For Melton, it was his second absence in a row. As the veteran guard deals with a back injury with lingering soreness, he missed consecutive games for the first time this season, as he missed Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Bulls as well.

Prior to Friday’s matchup against the Knicks, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse addressed the state of Melton’s setback. “He did workout [on Friday]. He took part in some of shootaround today and then worked out post,” said Nurse. “Putting him through another workout tonight, which will determine his status for tomorrow.

So, we’ll see how he comes out of that.” While Nurse isn’t under the belief that Melton’s setback is severe, he couldn’t guarantee the guard’s playing status for Saturday’s matchup against the Utah Jazz. Before battling his recent setback, Melton appeared in all but one of the Sixers’ 14 matchups in December. Averaging nearly 30 minutes on the floor as a starter, Melton struggled with his shot on the offensive end, draining just 39 percent of his attempts.

Melton might’ve lacked in the efficiency department, but he was still good for 12 points per game in those matchups. Along with his scoring, Melton averaged four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block in his matchup last month.

If Melton returns to the Sixers’ lineup on Saturday, there’s a good chance he could find himself in the starting five for the 32nd time this season if he’s not facing a minutes restriction. The Sixers and the Jazz are set to tip-off at 7:30 PM ET. on Saturday. Since the Sixers played on Friday, Melton’s status on the injury report is yet to be determined.