Simmons rolled his right ankle during the final scrimmage of the team’s training camp at Stockton University.
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Okafor, whose rookie season was cut short due to surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his right knee, has not been scrimmaging of late because of soreness in his knee.
It looks like Ben Simmons might make his National Basketball Association debut in December, or even January.
Simmons’ injury is the latest blow to a franchise that has been beset in recent years by injuries to their players.
The Philadelphia Daily News first reported the news, and the Sixers later confirmed.
The Australian forward played at LSU last season. Throw in Simmons’ injury and this creates opportunities for other frontcourt players such as Richaun Holmes and Elton Brand.
A source told Philly.com’s Keith Pompey that Simmons appeared to have a Zone 2 fracture (otherwise known as a Jones fracture).
Colangelo, speaking after Philadelphia’s first official practice at their new training facility, offered few specifics about the injury, a fracture to the fifth metatarsal bone. There is now no timetable for his return. Obviously, the size and weight of a player makes a huge difference in the recovery process. Colangelo also said surgery on the foot is “likely,” but not yet a certainty.
Due to his surgically repaired navicular bone on his foot healing much slower than was anticipated.
Where does this leave the 76ers as the season approaches?
The city was excited to finally watch Embiid play and team up with Simmons to force a powerful front court.
“The 7-foot, 250-pounder said he felt for Simmons and that what he learned most about his own experience was the need for patience, and following doctors” orders.
Colangelo even compared Simmons’ situation with that of Joel Embiid, who hasn’t played a single regular season game since he was drafted in 2014.
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The Celtics may have dodged a major bullet in not trading up to pick Simmons – at least in the short term. “That opens up a lot of things for him to be able to open up for his teammates”. “I think at the end of the day, again, you have three starting-caliber centers”.
