The Sixers announced they have shut down Jahlil Okafor and Robert Covington for the season’s remaining seven games (Twitter links). Okafor had been sidelined with right knee soreness, an ailment “exacerbated by impact in game at OKC.” Meanwhile, Covington suffered a slight tear of his lateral meniscus.
With the Sixers out of the playoff picture, there was little reason to ask Okafor and Covington to play through injuries. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Nik Stauskas can expect to see a bump in minutes while Covington recuperates, and Shawn Long will receive time at center alongside Richaun Holmes.
The short-handed Sixers will face Cleveland at 7:30pm EDT.
Another season shortened due to injuries for Jahlil Okafor. He really went downhill this season, with Emiid breaking out and Noel in front of him on the depth chart until he was traded to the Mavs. With Embiid injured and Noel traded, you’d think Okafor would thrive with more playing time. Instead, he’s been outperformed by Holmes, who was picked 34 spots after Okafor in that 2015 draft. Injuries of course haven’t helped him, either. Now it’s fair to wonder if the Sixers can get any value out of Okafor now.
Covington had a nice season, but with Simmons expected to debut next season and possibly taking Covington’s starting SF spot, it might be good for the Sixers to flip him over to a team who could use his outside shooting and defense. One team to look out for is the LA Clippers, who have had mainstays at every position except SF. An underpaid starting wing would fit right in with LA.
What a lousy organization. The Sixers owners should be forced to sell, then move the team to Vegas or something.
Like the Flyers, they’re an organization hamstrung by bad drafts, bad luck, and management without a clue.
Sixers medical staff is awful.
And the Bulls wanted to trade for this dope. He’ll be another injury-plagued Derrick Rose.