Could 76ers’ De’Anthony Melton Return vs. Spurs on Monday?

Will De'Anthony Melton's absence continue?

On Monday night, the Philadelphia 76ers return to their home arena to host the San Antonio Spurs for the first and only time this season.

Coming off of a successful two-game roadstand, the Sixers will look to continue their winning ways on Monday night.

However, they’ll have to face the rebuilding Western Conference squad while shorthanded once again. For the fifth-straight game, the Sixers will be without their starting two-guard, De’Anthony Melton.

Lately, Melton’s been battling a back issue, which occurred for the first time in the new year. When the Sixers fired up 2024 with a matchup at home against the Chicago Bulls, Melton missed just his second game of the season at the time.

The setback lingered for the next two games against the New York Knicks and the Utah Jazz. When the Sixers hit the road to face the Atlanta Hawks on January 10, Melton returned to the lineup. Drawing another start, the veteran guard took the floor for 21 minutes. He scored ten points during that time.

In the following outing against the Sacramento Kings two nights later, Melton collected 25 minutes of playing time. He struggled from the field, draining just two of his nine shots. He scored six points, four rebounds, and three assists in the Sixers’ 19-point win over the Kings.

When the Sixers hosted the Houston Rockets three days later, Melton was ruled out once again. Last week, the Sixers offered up a timeline for Melton’s absence, making it known he would miss the outings against the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, and the Charlotte Hornets.

While the team left the door open for a potential return against San Antonio at the start of the new week, Melton will be ruled out for his fourth-straight game. His absence should once again offer Kelly Oubre an opportunity to work with the Sixers’ starting five.