Fultz could be Sixers’ final piece to puzzle

PHILADELPHIA • Robert Covington doused Markelle Fultz over the head with cups of water, a basketball baptism of sorts for a rookie No. 1 pick who already needed a career rebirth.

Fultz had the Philly sports world buzzing and was trending on social media when his return was casually dropped by coach Brett Brown about 90 minutes before tipoff. Fultz got a standing ovation when he checked into a game for the first time in five months, then promptly airballed his first jumper.

But by the fourth quarter, the chants for “Fultz! Fultz! Fultz!” were so loud, t he 76ers rookie briefly thought that perhaps Super Bowl MVP and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles was in the house.

This was a different kind of Philly Special.

The Sixers have made a giant leap from the painful “Process” to the post- season that has 50 wins and homecourt advantage firmly in sight over the final nine games.

All- star Joel Embiid and rookie of the year favourite Ben Simmons are headed to the NBA playoffs — and they’re bringing Fultz along for the ride.

The 19- year- old Fultz had seemingly been lost for the season because of a sore right shoulder that may or may not have caused a case of the yips in a shooting form that would be heavily dissected around NBA circles.

Coach Brett Brown said it would take Fultz telling the Sixers that he was ready to play, a significant sign that Fultz was in fact healthy enough to hit the court, but perhaps not mentally prepped to slip on the No. 20 jersey.

For whatever reason, Fultz decided Monday he was ready to go. Perhaps the difference came on Sunday, an off day — the Sixers had officially clinched their first playoff berth since 2012.

With seeding the only uncertainty down the stretch, time was running low to see what potential role Fultz could have in the post- season. He came back with an uneven performance, i ncluding his air ball and a few shots that were blocked, but he flashed a confident, attacking game in the lane and finished with 10 points and eight assists in 14 minutes in a win over Denver.

It was Fultz’s first game since Oct. 23 and his fifth career NBA game.

Here were a couple of other big zeros from Fultz: he did not attempt a threepointer ( he hasn’t this season) and did not shoot a free throw. His foul- shooting form was ridiculed in the pre-season and there was no immediate sign his mechanics have been fixed.

But a healthy and mentally straight Fultz could be the final piece that helps the Sixers earn the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and get a first-round, home-court edge.

The Sixers have won seven straight games, 18 of 19 at the Wells Fargo Center and their 43 wins are the most since they won the same number in 2003- 04.