Sixers’ Fultz to miss time due to shoulder soreness
Philadelphia 76ers rookie point guard Markelle Fultz will miss at least three games with what is being called, “shoulder soreness.”
The Sixers announced that Fultz will miss Wednesday’s home meeting with the Houston Rockets as well as two away games in Dallas and Houston.
Markelle Fultz is out with right shoulder soreness. He will be reevaluated next Tuesday. #sixers pic.twitter.com/a7lDWMRLsM
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) October 25, 2017
The number one overall pick in June’s NBA Draft has had issues with his shoulder — and his shooting form — throughout the summer and beginning of the season.
Fultz’s agent Raymond Brothers told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that the 19-year-old, “literally cannot raise up his arms to shoot the basketball.” He also added the Fultz received a cortisone shot in his shoulder (not a fluid drain as he mistakenly said earlier).
There have been heaps of speculation regarding Fultz’s injury and it’s impact on his shooting form — or vice versa. Fultz reportedly re-worked his shooting form in the summer, much to the surprise and dismay of the Sixers.
Fultz has said in the past that he can’t recall when the pain first started, but Sixers general manager Bryan Colangelo claims that Fultz’s injury came after he changed his shooting form, and implied that the unsanctioned re-tooling has played a part in his injury.
Bryan Colangelo has twice suggested that Markelle Fultz changing his shooting mechanics in August contributed to his shoulder complications
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) October 25, 2017
Whether the injury was caused by his new shooting form or if the injury is exasperating his shooting struggles, we may never know. What we do know is that this is not a good look for the Philadelphia medical staff that has seen a number of their blue-chip prospects (Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel) miss a ton of time.
Shutting down Fultz for the time-being is the right call, and probably a call that should’ve been made weeks ago.
Fultz has struggled mightily so far in this young season. He has been awful from the free-throw line this season (6-of-12) and the college sharpshooter hasn’t even attempted a 3-pointer in his four games of NBA action.
Next: 10 Biggest NBA Draft Mistakes of All-Time
Be it injury or the yips, you have to be feeling a little uneasy about the number one pick’s performance so far this season. Hopefully, some time off will help Fultz get his health — and his confidence — back to where they need to be.