Hawes Out Tonight
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Hawes Out Tonight
Center Spencer Hawes said following this morning’s shootaround that he would not play in tonight’s 76ers game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Wells Fargo Center. Hawes is suffering from an Achilles injury that forced him to miss Wednesday’s 108-104 overtime loss to the visiting Denver Nuggets.
“I am out tonight and hopefully another day or two and I will be back and won’t have to worry about it,” Hawes said.
When asked if he would make the trip to Miami for tomorrow’s game with the Heat, Hawes said he wasn’t sure.
Coach Doug Collins seemed to be leaning toward leaving Hawes at home on Saturday.
“My guess is that Spencer is not going to be able to play (Saturday),” Collins said. “If he doesn’t go to Miami and stays back here, getting treatment will be critical.”
The Sixers have five home games in an eight-day period, beginning with Monday’s matchup with the Washington Wizards.
“I am hoping and praying we can get Spencer back, (when) we have the five home games next week,” Collins said. “This game tonight and those five home games next week will really give you a lot of direction on what we are going to be able to do.”
Besides Washington, Sixers will also New Jersey on Wednesday, Charlotte on Friday, Detroit on Saturday and Orlando on Monday, Jan. 30.
“Not to put any extra emphasis on that, but you are at home and playing teams that you have already played before and had some success against,” Collins said. “So we need Spencer to get back.”
@edog, not so sure...most of these young guys have no clue about how to manage a season....they will learn how to and get more rest, etc....and most of them haven't grown into their strong finished bodies untl 24-25 or so......if Hawes can stay healthy, he CAN be a very good starting center, not a backup....if he just can't stay healthy, then of course he'll probably only be able to play limited minutes and will have to settle for a backup role. When you deal with Professional/Olympic caliber athletes, it's not often the best athlete who wins the gold or makes it to MLB....it's the athlete who's body has survived all the trials and tribulations (wear and tear) needed to outlast so much of his competition to come out on top. Of course he is also talented, but most times luck and health are wild cards that trump talent.— Mark1npt
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
