Covington is scratched with right knee problem
PHILADELPHIA » Robert Covington, who had been among the Sixers’ more reliable two-way players, required an MRI on an injured right knee Wednesday.
The Sixers did not report the results of the examination, but scratched him before their 99-92 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Covington displayed no outward effects of the discomfort as he left the locker room to meet pre-game photo obligations with fans. After the game, he ignored questioning about the injury and left the Wells Fargo Center without comment.
According to a Sixers spokesman, Covington reported “discomfort” after the Sixers’ 106-101 victory Tuesday night in Brooklyn. Later, the knee was found to be swelling, the spokesman said. The MRI was ordered and performed Wednesday.
Covington had played in 67 games, all as a starter, averaging 12.9 points and being one of the Sixers’ more reliable defenders.
He played 38 minutes and scored 21 points in the Nets game.
Meanwhile, Jahlil Okafor missed his fourth consecutive game due to a chronically sore right knee. The center has been unavailable for four of the Sixers’ last five games and seven of their last 14.
With the rest not providing immediate results, would surgery be an option?
“I don’t know that,” Brett Brown said. “Every day, I come out and just repeat news that has been given to me. All I know is that he won’t be available to us tonight. I think in relation to what goes on down the road, with further news, that will be directed not through me.”
*** If the Sixers’ lengthy rebuilding effort ever yields on-court satisfaction, Ersan Ilyasova will have played more than a small role.
Though the 6-foot-10 shooter played in just 53 games for the Sixers before being moved to Atlanta at the trade deadline for Tiago Splitter, he provided consistent shooting, counsel for the developing Dario Saric and a valuable veteran presence.
For that, he received a loud cheer from Sixers fans when he was introduced Wednesday.
“I think we all improved as a team,” Ilyasova said. “Everybody started believing in each other. To become a good team, you have to rely on each other and kind of trust each other. And it all started with the coach, Brett Brown. He kind of gave us the extra motivation, as far as the season goes. It was tough, coming from the losing seasons like they have. But they had the right players and the right mentality going forward. And I wish them the best going forward.”
For that, Ilyasova, who is with his sixth NBA franchise, will have fond memories of Philadelphia.
“It was a great time,” he said, before scoring 14 points in 32 minutes. “I am not going to lie. I was really enjoying being around those guys. Obviously, they play unselfish. They play the right way. And, as always, it is a pleasure to be a part of something like that.”
*** Saric has been praised all season for his durability and endurance. Wednesday, though, he admitted to exhaustion.
“I was tired,” the rookie said. “As everyone knows, I had the Olympic Games, national games, how many games we have here. Now, I feel really, really, really bad.”
Saric battled through 39 minutes, providing 15 points and seven rebounds. But he shot 5-for-18, including 2-for-8 from three-point range.
“I really tried,” Saric said. “It is hard for the media to understand, but sometimes when you have a young team, like we have, you need the rest, too.”
*** Sergio Rodriguez his second consecutive NOTES » missed game with a left hamstring strain. … Splitter, who played Tuesday in Brooklyn, did not play Wednesday as he continues to work slowly back from season-long leg and calf difficulties. … Gerald Henderson, who did not play Tuesday due to continuing hip troubles, contributed 22 minutes, shooting 2-for-10 for nine points. … With the injuries, the Sixers were down to eight available players. … Though Dwight Howard had 22 points and 20 rebounds, Sixers center Richaun Holmes responded with a careerhigh 25 points.
“I tried to go at him, and not just take my lumps at the defensive end,” Holmes said. “I just tried to do the best I could, and I was able to score a little bit tonight.”