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Sixers' Aldemir sidelined by plantar fasciitis

Furkan Aldemir's right-foot injury is worse than the 76ers originally thought. The new power forward missed practice Thursday because of plantar fasciitis and is doubtful to play Friday against the Charlotte Hornets at the Wells Fargo Center. Aldemir sat out the end of practice Wednesday because of a sore right heel.

Furkan Aldemir tries to box out the Celtics' Brandon Bass. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
Furkan Aldemir tries to box out the Celtics' Brandon Bass. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)Read more

Furkan Aldemir's right-foot injury is worse than the 76ers originally thought.

The new power forward missed practice Thursday because of plantar fasciitis and is doubtful to play Friday against the Charlotte Hornets at the Wells Fargo Center. Aldemir sat out the end of practice Wednesday because of a sore right heel.

The 6-foot-9, 240-pounder, who signed with the Sixers on Monday, had experienced foot pain in his native Turkey.

"It's not as bad as it sounds," Sixers coach Brett Brown said after practice at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. "He's come over here, and all the physicals, MRIs didn't reveal anything."

Brown said Aldemir might have aggravated his injury by flying from Turkey on Sunday and participating in the shootaround and game against Boston on Monday, followed by practices the next two days.

"It's way more precautionary at this stage than it is something we think is going to linger," Brown said. "I could be wrong. But, at this stage, that's how it has been explained to me."

In the 105-87 loss to the Celtics, Aldemir had two points, two rebounds, and an assist in 91/2 minutes.

His injury leaves the team with just 11 healthy bodies.

Andrei Kirilenko, who was acquired in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 11, is out for personal reasons. Joel Embiid and Jason Richardson have not played this season, while they rehabilitate right-foot injuries.

"At times, it's challenging," Brown said of the effect of injuries on practice. "With the volume of people that have taken up roster spots, it's challenging. But we will get through it. We had a spirited practice again."

Winless at home

The Sixers are closing in on the 1993-94 Dallas Mavericks' NBA record for the most consecutive home losses to start a season - 19.

Brown said the pressure on the team to win is raised a bit at home, where the club is 0-13 this season.

"You just want to do the right thing by the crowd," he said. "The crowd has surely done the right thing by us."

The Sixers have a solid opportunity to pick up that first home victory against Charlotte. The Hornets (6-19) have lost four straight and 14 of their last 16. They are 1-10 on the road.

Hornets guard Lance Stephenson is doubtful with a pelvic strain.