Fultz seeking further evaluations on shoulder

PHILADELPHIA >> Sixers coach Brett Brown had a man-to-man talk the other day with mercurial guard Markelle Fultz, the first overall pick in the 2017 draft who sat out his fifth straight game Friday.

They left with an understanding that Fultz would seek further evaluations of what his agent described in reports as a shoulder issue. A source confirmed that Fultz will get together with a shoulder specialist.

“I met with Markelle yesterday,” Brown said before the Sixers played the Wizards at the Center. “We had a fantastic day at the facility. I thought he looked great. His spirit, his face, he looked great. I, we look forward to just getting him back in here, getting him with his teammates and continuing to try to help move him forward.”

Brown didn’t mention anything about the herky-jerky free throw form that Fultz struggled with taking shots against the Heat (the double-pump) and the Jazz (the juggle). To many, it appears to be a case of the yips. Fultz was examined by Sixers team specialists and then sought out medical opinions from doctors in New York City.

The Sixers listed Fultz as inactive with injury/illness-shoulder consultation.

Whatever the issue is, the Sixers aren’t in a hurry to rush Fultz back into action. There are reports teams have contacted the Sixers asking what it would take to acquire the point guard.

The Sixers are 3-1 since Fultz began sitting out games.

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