The Sixer Sense
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The injury bug will not last forever, Philadelphia 76ers fans

By Pete Sawan

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 08: Markelle Fultz (C) #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers is helped off the court by teammates after he appeared to injure his left ankle during a 2017 Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 08: Markelle Fultz (C) #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers is helped off the court by teammates after he appeared to injure his left ankle during a 2017 Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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With Philadelphia 76ers guard Markelle Fultz going down with a high ankle sprain last night, fans feel on edge. Here’s why they shouldn’t.

Okay, I get it. Philadelphia 76ers fans have had the worst luck as of late. The Process feels like it’s taking its toll. In all fairness, it very well might have. But, that should not keep fans away from continuing to cheer this team on. As much as we all want to throw our phones or smash our television sets after watching Markelle Fultz roll his ankle, we can’t. In fact, we shouldn’t.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

Clearly, Bryan Colangelo must’ve kicked a leprechaun or something. In terms of injuries, the Sixers have endured quite a few over the past few seasons. ESPN pointed out that over the past five seasons the Sixers haven’t had a first-round rookie play in his initial rookie season. Now, some may consider this a classic “beating a dead horse” act on ESPN’s part. However, the proof is in the pudding.

Since Nerlens Noel’s rookie season, no Philadelphia 76ers first round lottery pick (sans Michael Carter-Williams) outside of Jahlil Okafor played in his rookie season. Man, that’s depressing. However, that streak could very well come to an end this season. But, there is definitely cause for pause, as Markelle Fultz hobbled out of last night’s Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors with a high ankle sprain.

That’s all it is

Yeah, that’s it. It’s a high ankle sprain. If my master’s degree in WebMD has taught me anything, it’s that high ankle sprains don’t take that long to heal. In fact, they typically take anywhere from four to six weeks. Initially, that sounds heavenly. At that rate, Fultz could get back on the court by the middle of August.

But, that doesn’t mean he will be at 100 percent, per se. The issue arises when it comes to rehabbing the ankle. Obviously, the four to six week period where he’s resting may include some rehab, but that may not be enough at the jump. Fultz will need to regain strength and mobility in his ankle before he can come back full time.

Related Story: Markelle Fultz could be the next James Harden

Now, I may be overreacting. Personally, based on how the injury occurred, I don’t see why Fultz won’t make a steady recovery. The initial impact came when he stepped on another player’s foot as he went up for a block. Here’s the play itself:

At first, I was nervous. Why wouldn’t I be? Considering how practically every piece to the process got hurt, Sixers fans are just precautious now. The injury bug has had a permanent residence in the 215. But, after watching it 20 to 30 times, I felt a sigh of relief. It doesn’t look THAT bad. Sixers fans can breathe again, knowing that the injury may have been overblown because the media clearly wanted to paint the narrative around the “Injured Sixers”. But hey, that’s showbusiness for you.

He’s fine, guys

Markelle Fultz is fine. He even said so on twitter:

https://twitter.com/MarkelleF/status/884087486749712385

Okay guys, if he says he’s fine, I think he’s fine. Is that fine? I think it’s fine. Fine. I’ll stop saying fine. Anyway, the point of that little rambling fit was to point out how the injury streak in Philly may be coming to an end. As much as the media loves to poke fun at the Sixers, it’s over.

Now, back to how the Sixers will handle Fultz going forward. To me, it makes sense to shut him down for the rest of Summer League. Let him heal up before training camp starts. Then, unleash him and the rest of the FEDS all at once on the opening night. The hobbled, injury-ridden Sixers of yesteryear are no more! Time for a new era in Philadelphia sports to commence!

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At the end of the day, this may have been the best injury Fultz could’ve gotten. Yeah, it’s a rolled ankle, but it’s not like he broke his foot or something, right? For the Philadelphia 76ers, this may have been the best news the team got in the last 24 hours. Now, let’s let our number one pick rest for a few weeks so he can come back stronger!