Brand in Practice

During today's practice at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), injured forward Elton Brand hit the practice floor and participated in contact half-court drills. Brand did not look to be favoring his left arm or shoulder, but he did say afterwards that "It's not 100 percent, I can feel that, but it's pretty good."

Brand scrimmaged in a half-court setting, but did not go full court. He said he plans to go full during tomorrow's practice.

So when will he be back? The 76ers play at home Wednesday against the Portland Trailblazers and Friday against the San Antonio Spurs.

"Wednesday might be out, but I'll be practicing tomorrow," Brand said. He, and coach Tony DiLeo, said they would consult the medical staff and determine when Brand will be back in the lineup. But it looks to be very soon.

"We have Reggie Evans on our team, so of course I got hit," Brand said about today's effort. "And one time Royal Ivey grabbed [my arm], but that's good because that's what will happen in a game.

"It was good to be out there with the guys. They forgot I was hurt, they fouled me pretty hard."

Brand said he's still thinking about the shoulder injury -- dislocated in the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 17 -- but that he needs to work past that mental block.

DiLeo said he was encouraged by Brand's presence today. DiLeo said if things go well tomorrow, and there isn't another setback, Brand's return is just a matter of consensus from the doctors as well as Brand that things feel comfortable and ready. No one would offer an exact game, but if Brand mentioned the Trailblazer game, we could see Brand in the lineup as early as this weekend.

--Kate