July 09, 2017

Source: Sixers' Fultz suffered traditional sprain, could return to basketball activities in a week or two

By Matt Mullin
PhillyVoice Staff

Hours after signing his rookie deal with the Sixers on Saturday, No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz suffered a scary ankle injury, one that required he be carried off the court and will keep him out for the remainder of the Las Vegas Summer League.

But the fact that Sixers fans will now have to wait before seeing their draft night prize back in action may be the worst of it. That's right, it was actually some good injury news for them on Sunday.

A team source confirmed that Fultz suffered a lateral ankle sprain, not a high ankle sprain as was originally reported by ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. In fact, team doctors did not fear the injury to be a high ankle sprain, and Shelburne's ESPN colleague Marc J. Spears was the first to report that it was a traditional sprain earlier on Sunday.

UPDATE: The Sixers have confirmed the lateral ankle sprain:

An update on Markelle Fultz: pic.twitter.com/RtkTbCwlgV
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 9, 2017

Fultz, as expected, won't play in any more summer league games, but it is believed that he will be returning to normal basketball activity in a week or two. The rookie was with the team at their shootaround on Sunday morning – he was just watching, not participating – and was said to be in good spirits.

The injury occurred as Fultz attempted to block Warriors rookie Jabari Brown from behind. Fultz appeared to step on Brown's heel and roll his left ankle; he was then carried off the court and taken back to the locker room.

As for Fultz, he says he's feeling good.