Sixers’ Markelle Fultz To Miss Next Three Games With Shoulder Strain

Philadelphia 76ers rookie guard Markelle Fultz will miss the team’s next three games due to discomfort in his right shoulder, the team announced Wednesday.

Markelle Fultz Injury News

“He had a cortisone shot on Oct. 5, which means fluid was put into his shoulder — not taken out,” Fultz’s agent Raymond Brothers told ESPN on Tuesday night. “My intention earlier was to let people know that he’s been experiencing discomfort. We will continue to work with (Sixers general manager) Bryan Colangelo and the medical staff.”

Cortisone is a steroid hormone released by the adrenal gland in response to stress. Brothers added that Fultz is undergoing physiotherapy per medical staff recommendations, and that the guard “literally cannot raise his arms” to shoot the ball.

Fultz — the top overall pick in 2017 out of Washington — will thus miss Wednesday’s home game against the Houston Rockets, as well as road games against the Dallas Mavericks (Saturday) and Rockets (Monday).

The 19-year-old guard will be re-evaluated Thursday, the team said.

The Sixers (1-3) have been working with Fultz on his shooting mechanics, which have been altered with the shoulder irritation. Fultz has been mainly relying on drives to the basket instead of jump-shots in the last few games. He is shooting 33 percent (9-of-27) from the floor and 50 percent (6-of-12) from the free throw line. Off the bench, he has averaged 19 minutes.

Philadelphia traded the No. 3 overall pick and a future first-round choice to the Boston Celtics for the opportunity to choose Fultz as the top overall pick.

During his lone season with the Washington Huskies, Fultz earned a spot on the All-Pac-12 first team and was also named an All-American third team member.

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 22: Markelle Fultz walks on stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City.