October 22, 2016
On Friday, the Sixers announced the center Nerlens Noel would undergo a minor surgical procedure to repair inflamed plica in his left knee. The injury was first discovered when Noel notified doctors of localized knee pain during an examination for his previously injured hamstring.
Now, it appears, the 22-year-old big man could miss the entire first month of the season, which for the Sixers begins on Wednesday night against the Thunder.
According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Noel, who hasn't played since the Sixers' preseason opener nearly three weeks ago, will undergo the arthroscopic procedure on Monday.
76ers reserve center Nerlens Noel is scheduled to have surgery Monday at the Hospital of Special Surgery in New York to address an inflamed plica above his left knee, according to sources.
Dr. Riley Williams and Dr. Steve O’Brien will scope the area during a 10-minute procedure. Noel, who’s been sidelined since Oct. 6, is expected to be sidelined an additional three to five weeks. [philly.com]
The Sixers are already without 2016 top overall pick Ben Simmons, who is sidelined following foot surgery earlier this month, and they just got Jahlil Okafor back from injury in time for the second-year center to play seven minutes in Friday night's preseason finale against the Heat.
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