Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel joined his teammates on a walk through shoot around before the Philadelphia 76ers game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. Nerlens Noel didn't play on that game which the Philadelphia 76ers won 99-88, snapping a franchise record tying 23 game road losing streak.
Though Nerlens Noel did not play against the New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown hinted that Nerlens Noel could return on the court as early as Sunday, when the Philadelphia 76ers visit the Detroit Pistons.
According to head coach Brett Brown, the Philadelphia 76ers wanted Nerlens Noel to get acclimated and familiarize himself with his teammates first before returning to the court.
"We want to integrate him with the team, watch a lot of tape with the understanding that we have a chance to see him soon." Brett Brown said. "So all of that where we can ramp it up where he can go to an NBA court more comfortable."
Nerlens Noel has so far not played this 2016-2017 NBA season. The 22 year old center had minor arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last October. Nerlens Noel spent the last week rehabbing his left knee with the Philadelphia 76ers D-League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers.
If Nerlens Noel does get to play this Sunday and once second year center Jahlil Okafor recovers from a stomach virus, the big question will be how will head coach Brett Brown juggle all three centers.
Before the season began, the center position of the Philadelphia 76ers is already crowded with Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel. A few games into the season, it got even more crowded when the Philadelphia 76ers acquired veteran Ersan Ilyasova from the Oklahoma City Thunder via trade. Adding another problem for Brett Brown is that Ersan Ilyasova is playing great as of late. He's the second best player next to Joel Embiid. Jahlil Okafor also has been playing well. That leaves Nerlens Noel the odd man out in the rotation.
But Brett Brown said that the rotation may be a challenge but it's also good to have players back.
"So there's ripple effects that influence the design, the structure of the team. It's a challenge when you're 20-some games deep, but it's good. We're getting our players back."
