Hawes To See L.A. Specialist

Spencer Hawes won't be returning to the 76ers lineup anytime soon.

After today's shootaround the team announced that Hawes would be seeing Dr. Richard Ferkel from the Southern California Orthopedic Institute on Thursday.

Hawes remains out with a sore left Achilles tendon. Initially, the team estimated he would be in a boot for two more weeks, but before Friday's game Hawes said the two-week timetable began when he first went into the boot on Feb 11.

"It's been a frustrating situation, Hawes said. "It will be good to get another opinion and possibly get a realistic time-table."

Friday's game was the 16th that Hawes has missed in the last 18 due to the injury.

has missed 15 of the last 17 games due to the injury and 16 overall.

"It's been my experience being around it as I have, for every day you wear a boot, it will take two more once you get out because your leg will atrophy," Sixers coach Doug Collins said.

Asked when he thought Hawes might return, Collins was inconclusive.

"I would expect him to be out for a while," Collins said.