Sixers’ Wilson Chandler out 2 to 3 weeks with right quadriceps strain
JJ Redick will also miss Saturday’s game at Sacramento Kings in order to rest.
SACRAMENTO – The 76ers are, once again, without their glue guy.
Starting power forward Wilson Chandler will be sidelined two to three weeks with a right quadriceps strain. As a result, he’ll miss at least the next six games heading into the NBA All-Star break.
As a result, the Sixers will be without two starters in Saturday night’s game against the Sacramento Kings. Shooting guard JJ Redick will miss the game as part of a scheduled rest day for the 34-year-old.
Rookie guard Landry Shamet will start in Redick’s place, while Mike Muscala will get the nod over Jonah Bolden at power forward.
Bolden started at power forward when Chandler missed consecutive games in January due to an upper respiratory infection.
“I think Jonah right now, we are looking at him more as a backup five,” coach Brett Brown said. “I think as time unfolds, he’ll sort of grow to playing both positions. Lately, we have been playing him more of a backup five. He’ll play a little bit of four tonight as will Ben [Simmons].”
Chandler suffered the injury while setting screen for Redick with 10 minutes, 24 seconds remaining in the third quarter of Thursday’s game against the Golden State Warriors. He stayed in a little while longer before exiting the game. An MRI Friday determined he strained the quad.
His absence is a blow for the team that lacks depth in the post. The team was already looking to add depth before Thursday’s trade deadline.
The 31-year-old is averaging 6.7 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 39 percent on three-pointers in 36 games played. He, however, has been more involved lately while splitting time as the starting power forward and a reserve small forward. Chandler averaged 8.1 points in his last seven games played.
Saturday night’s contest will mark the 17th game he’ll miss this season.
Chandler missed the first nine games of the season with a left hamstring strain. He missed two more with a left quad contusion. Chandler also missed one game with left hamstring tightness and another for rest in addition missing two because of upper respiratory infection.
Bolden is averaging 3.9 points and 3.7 rebounds in 12.7 minutes in 26 games with three starts. He scored a career-high 14 points on Jan. 15 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He had a career-high four blocked shots on two occasions. The first time came Dec. 22 against the Toronto Raptors. He duplicated that accomplishment Jan. 21 vs. the Houston Rockets.