Sixers could miss three starters vs. Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO – Just call them the shorthanded 76ers.

They rarely field a full complement of available players and will take a healthy-player hit Tuesday night.

The Sixers  could be without three starters against the Golden State Warriors  at Oracle Arena.

Shooting guard Hollis Thompson (upper respiratory infection) and power forward Luc Mbah a Moute (left calf strain) will not play. Center Nerlens Noel (sprained left ankle) is questionable.

Thompson had missed the last four games and was sent home this past weekend to recuperate. This will be the second consecutive game that Mbah a Moute missed.

"Nerlens tried to go, but couldn't," coach Brett Brown said of Monday's practice at St. Ignatius College Preparatory. "What that means tomorrow, I'm not sure."

The 6-foot-11 rookie was pulled during a 5-on-0 drill early in practice.

He suffered the injury in the third quarter of Saturday's setback to the host Utah Jazz. Noel returned at the start of the fourth quarter. X-rays after the game were negative.

"It's feel a lot better," Noel said of his ankle. "I did more than I thought I [would]. I got up and down the court … I made a lot of progress  from yesterday.

"I think coming and take care of it from the rest of the day."

The 20-year-old didn't have a lot swelling in his ankle after the game.

"Luc's [injury] scares me because I've had this injury with a few players," Sixers coach Brett Brown said. "Usually it takes longer than you wish. You have to be very cautious about that and err on the side of caution with a calf injury, a calf strain."

The Sixers (4-25) are unsure about Mbah a Moute's status following Tuesday's game vs. the Warriors (24-5).

"He reminds me of his heritage," Brown said. "He says I am from Cameroon. Those other people that you have been used to coaching that might have stayed out longer than you hoped, I'm not one of them. My pedigree is a little bit different."

Mbah a Moute is averaging 9.5 points and 5.1 rebounds. He started in 26 consecutive games before missing Saturday's loss at Utah. Noel is averaging 7.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.42 blocks.

Follow and contact Inquirer 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers and Instagram at PompeyOnSixers