Well, here we go again, some more Markelle Fultz confusion.
While Fultz practically sat out his entire rookie season will a mysterious shoulder injury and not being able to shoot a basketball anymore, it’s now happening again in year 2.
While 26-year-old TJ McConnell replaced Markelle Fultz as the 76ers’ backup point guard in the second half of their 119-114 win over the Suns on Monday, it started the conversation of what is going to happen with Fultz.
Coach Brett Brown said he made the adjustment because he thought it would increase his team’s energy.
Coach Brown wouldn’t comment on if this was a full-time plan or if it was just for the day.
#Sixers coach Brett Brown postgame. He said he doesn’t know if @TJMcConnell will replace Markelle Fultz as the backup PG moving forward. pic.twitter.com/OLQEg3thrv
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) November 20, 2018
However, The Athletic reported Tuesday morning that Fultz, at his attorney’s direction, will see a shoulder specialist early next week and won’t participate in practices and games until that evaluation.
At the direction of his attorney, Raymond Brothers, @MarkelleF is scheduled to see a shoulder specialist early next week. Per Brothers, Fultz will not participate in team practices or games until after the the specialist has had a chance to evaluate him.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) November 20, 2018
Markelle Fultz to see a shoulder specialist next week “at the direction of his attorney,” will not participate in games or practices until he’s evaluated, per @davidaldridgedc pic.twitter.com/N81kYMdgj1
— Sports ON Tap (@SONTHighlights) November 20, 2018
“I thought by and large, the first half was flat,” Brown told reporters after Monday’s game (via the Philadelphia Inquirer). “We needed an injection, I came in with TJ, shuffled the lineup around a little bit. Glad to get out of there with a win.
Markelle Fultz was the 1st pick in the 2016 NBA Draft out of Washington. He has had a limited career as of now due to this injury…