Jahlil Okafor will not play in the 76ers’ preseason opener Tuesday night against Boston at the University of Massachusetts. The second-year center is coming back from a torn right meniscus that cost him the final 23 games of last season.
Okafor worked on the side Monday while the Sixers scrimmaged at their facility on the Camden waterfront. The Sixers said he is not ready to participate in a game.
“I want more real-time preparation on a court, scrimmaging up and down,” Sixers coach Brett Brown said of what has to happen before Okafor is cleared to play.
The Sixers have kept Okafor on a short leash regarding what they have allowed him to do. Brown said they are trying to be cautious. The goal is have him ready for the season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 26.
“Health rules the day, always has and always will,” the coach said.
Starting lineup not set
Brown indicated that the team was not firm on a starting lineup for Tuesday because of banged-up players. He had said previously that point guard Jerryd Bayless, shooting guard Gerald Henderson, small forward Robert Covington, power forward Ben Simmons, and center Joel Embiid would start.
However, Simmons fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot on Friday. He is expected to miss about three months of action. Brown initially said Monday that he thinks he’ll start Dario Saric in his place. However, the coach later said he wasn’t sure because Saric is dealing with lower-back tightness.
Meanwhile, Bayless has what the Sixers are calling left-wrist soreness. He was wearing a brace and did not participate in the five-on-five scrimmages.
“We need to see how Dario’s back shapes up,” Brown said. “We’ve been putting on the floor a group (including) Jerryd. Jerryd has some wrist problems. So I think it’s sort of unfair right now for me to say anything. … I just need more information to answer you honestly.”
Bayless said his wrist in fine and that he wants to play Tuesday. However, the ninth-year veteran said he’s just trying to be cautious with it.
“It’s a long season, obviously,” Bayless said. “I’m just taking it day by day.”
Saric said his back felt little bit better than Sunday when he injured it. He has been undergoing massage therapy and is being evaluated by the doctor.
“Tomorrow I will be ready,” Saric said.
Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers.
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