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Nerlens Noel to rehab in Alabama

Nerlens Noel is heading back to Alabama.

The 76ers reserve center has decided to reunite with Kevin Wilk after having surgery Monday at the Hospital of Special Surgery in New York to repair inflamed tissue above his left knee. Wilk is associate clinical director at Champion Sports Medicine in Birmingham, Ala.

Noel first worked with Wilk after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in February 2013 during his lone season at the University of Kentucky. After surgery by James Andrews, Noel spent 5 1/2 months with Wilk at Champion Sports before moving to Philadelphia in September 2013. He was acquired by the Sixers in the 2013 draft.

So there was a thought that Wilk was the best person to rehabilitate Noel, who had inflamed plica, a fold in the lining of the knee joint.

The surgery was performed by Riley Williams, who scoped the area during the 10-minute procedure. Noel has not experienced any swelling from the operation.

He was originally expected to miss three to five weeks. However, that timeline will depend on if or how often his knee swells.

Bracing for OKC

The Sixers have been gearing up for Wednesday night's season opener for some time. Brett Brown usually talks about defending the Thunder's all-star point guard, Russell Westbrook, during film study. And the Sixers were working intensely on some late-game plays and scenarios since training camp.

"I think that we have prepared as much as we can," Brown said of his undermanned squad that will be without Noel, first overall pick Ben Simmons (fractured right foot), and Jerryd Bayless (left wrist).

"I think we've taken a situation that has been given to us with injury and what not and made the most of it," he added. "Nobody's making excuses. We are going to take what we have had and I think that the preparation given, that has been good."

However, the Sixers are expected to have their hands full against the new-look Thunder at Wells Fargo Center. Gone are Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, and Philly native Dion Waiters. Unfortunately for the Sixers, Westbrook remains and OKC traded for Victor Oladipo.

The Sixers are one of four teams Westbrook has averaged a triple-double against. He tallied 20.5 points, 16.0 rebounds and 10.5 assists in two games against Philly. Oladipo has a career average of 19.4 points against the Sixers.

"I think Russell Westbrook is going to come out and they are going to be playing free," Brown said. "He's going to lead them as well as a player. And I just see the physical side and the free side of being a real tough opening night game."

Saric feels fine

Dario Saric said he felt like throwing up Monday after being accidentally elbowed in the head by Joel Embiid at practice. However, the power forward said he took a nap and some medicine and felt better. He participated in Tuesday's light practice and is slated to start against the Thunder.

Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers.