Wroten not ready to return vs. Hawks
It appears that Tony Wroten will be sidelined longer than expected. The 76ers guard was looking forward to returning from a right-knee sprain Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks. However, Wroten was listed as doubtful Tuesday for the matchup at the Phillips Arena. This comes one day after the 6-foot-6, 205-pounder said he felt close to 100 percent.
It appears that Tony Wroten will be sidelined longer than expected.
The 76ers guard was looking forward to returning from a right-knee sprain Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks. However, Wroten was listed as doubtful Tuesday for the matchup at the Phillips Arena. This comes one day after the 6-foot-6, 205-pounder said he felt close to 100 percent.
"We don't want to push it," Sixers coach Brett Brown said. "So I expect him to not be available against Atlanta."
Wroten suffered the knee injury Nov. 26 against Brooklyn. He was sidelined 11 days before returning to practice Monday. The Seattle native participated in only parts of Tuesday's short practice.
He said he experienced soreness toward the end of practice Monday. The soreness returned during his ride home, again Monday evening, and Tuesday morning.
"It's not a big concern," Wroten said. "But I definitely don't feel confident enough to where my knee is where it needs to be. I'm just going to take it one day at a time and try to get back as soon as I can."
He traveled with the Sixers (2-18) on their trip to Atlanta and Brooklyn.
Wroten hopes to play against the Nets on Friday at the Barclays Center.
"But I definitely don't want to rush it if I don't feel like myself," he said.
Wednesday could mark the sixth game Wroten will have missed since suffering the injury. He is the team's leading scorer at 17.9 points per game.
Even with the guard, the Sixers would have a tough task against the Hawks (14-6). Atlanta has the Eastern Conference's second-best record and is on a seven-game winning streak.
Trade talks
The 76ers are again in trade talks with the Brooklyn Nets for Andrei Kirilenko, according to reports.
The Sixers are expected to waive the forward if the deal is completed. They would take on his expiring $3.1 million contact and receive a second-round pick for making the deal. The Sixers wouldn't have to give back anything substantial because they are about $24 million under the $63 million salary cap.
The deal would spare the Nets $12 million in luxury taxes.
Kirilenko, a 13-year veteran, returned to practice Dec. 2 after being away from the team for personal reasons. The 6-9, 235-pound Russian has struggled to find a role under new coach Lionel Hollins. He is averaging just 5.1 minutes.