76ers vs. Knicks: Philly Will Get Key Starters Back on Thursday

The 76ers will land a couple of boosts against the Knicks on Thursday.

Before the 2024 NBA All-Star break, the Philadelphia 76ers dealt with quite a few key setbacks. In the final days before the break, the Sixers missed four out of five starters, having only Tyrese Maxey in the mix.

When the team returns on Thursday night to face the New York Knicks, the Sixers anticipate the return of two starters.

In the frontcourt, the Sixers expect to get Tobias Harris back against New York. Lately, Harris has been dealing with a hip issue, which sidelined him for the two games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat.

When the Sixers revealed their injury report ahead of Thursday’s game, Harris was deemed available as he was left off the report.

While Harris has dealt with numerous absences throughout the month of February, he’s been productive in the five games he played, averaging 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists while draining 50 percent of his shots from the field. Barring any setbacks, Harris should be back in action against New York.

Nic Batum will be another veteran forward who is set to make his way back out on the floor Thursday night. Lately, Batum’s been battling a hamstring injury, which turned out to be more severe than initially expected.

When Batum was added to the injury report on the day of the Sixers’ January 30 road game against the Golden State Warriors, his absence seemed precautionary. Unfortunately, Batum hasn’t played since the Sixers’ January 29 loss against the Portland Trail Blazers.

This stretch of absences has been by far Batum’s most significant since he joined the Sixers. By missing every game leading up to the All-Star break, Batum has been out for nine games in a row. He was initially questionable to return against the Knicks.  

Since making his Sixers debut following a late October trade from the Los Angeles Clippers, Batum appeared in 31 games, making 27 starts. During his time in Philly, the French forward has averaged six points on 53 percent shooting from the field and 47 percent shooting from three. 

With Harris and Batum back in the mix on Thursday, the Sixers will be down just two starters as Joel Embiid and De’Anthony Melton continue to recover from their respective setbacks.