Injured Carter-Williams to miss Bobcats game

Though he originally planned to make the trip, 76ers point guard Michael Carter-Williams did not travel with the team for Friday's game against the Bobcats in Charlotte, N.C., because of right-knee soreness.

Carter-Williams did not practice Thursday but said afterward that he planned to test the knee during Friday's shootaround in Charlotte.

Those plans were scrapped, which isn't surprising, because he was noticeably limping and wearing a sleeve on his knee.

The Sixers said Carter-Williams would remain in Philadelphia for further evaluation and treatment. His status is officially listed as day-to-day.

It appears unlikely that Carter-Williams will be able to play Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center against the Denver Nuggets, but he hasn't officially been ruled out.

Carter-Williams said his knee was sore even before Tuesday's 126-125 double-overtime home win over the Orlando Magic.

Late in the game, Carter-Williams was in obvious discomfort.

"I was in some pain, but I am fighting through it," Carter-Williams said after Thursday's practice. "I was fighting through [the pain] and trying to help the team win."

He certainly did his part in the victory, recording the first triple-double of his career with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Even before it was decided that Carter-Williams would not make the trip, Sixers coach Brett Brown said he wasn't optimistic that the rookie could play.

Brown recalled looking at Carter-Williams' right knee during one of the extra periods Tuesday and being amazed.

"It was maroon and swollen, and if you put your hand on it, [the knee] was warm because of the swelling," Brown said.

Carter-Williams said the knee was still swollen.

"I am trying to be patient and take it one day at a time," he said.

Averaging 17.7 points, 7.3 assists, and 3.1 steals, Carter-Williams missed four games earlier this year with a bruised left foot.

The team proceeded cautiously with that injury and is expected to do the same now.

Brown said a team can't listen to just the player regarding an injury. He believes that Carter-Williams would try to keep playing on the injured knee.

"I think he is not wrapped up in cotton," Brown said. "He's not afraid to get in there and test things."

Notes. According to a Bobcats official, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of Somerdale, N.J., won't need surgery on the non-displaced fracture in his left hand. The injury occurred during Tuesday's 89-82 loss at Dallas. He is averaging 9.1 points and 5.3 rebounds in 26.7 minutes. . . . The only other player out for Charlotte is center Brendan Haywood, who has yet to play because of a stress fracture in his left foot.

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