Report: Sixers’ Ben Simmons set for foot surgery, out three months

Philadelphia 76ers No. 1 pick Ben Simmons has a fracture in his right foot and will reportedly have surgery next week.

Philadelphia 76ers No. 1 pick Ben Simmons will have foot surgery and is expected to miss three months, slating him for a December or January return to the court, ESPN reports.

The Sixers announced Friday that Simmons had a fracture in his right foot, with Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News first reporting the news.

ESPN’s Marc Stein reported Saturday that Simmons is set to have surgery next week, with the team believing he suffered an “acute” injury unrelated to stress from off-season muscle and weight gain. ESPN’s Jeff Goodman reported the timetable, and that the Sixers plan to be conservative with Simmons’s recovery. 

Simmons was the top selection in this year’s draft out of LSU. He fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot while rolling his ankle during the team’s final camp practice on Friday.

The Sixers open preseason play on Tuesday against Boston.

• Ben Simmons among players on SI’s Top 100 Players Watch List for 2018

The 76ers looked poised to finally get all of their recent lottery picks on the court this season, with Joel Embiid reportedly healthy and set to make his NBA debut after foot issues of his own and Dario Saric joining the team after playing professionally overseas.

Simmons, 20, averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals in his one season at LSU.