Sixers Notes: Sixers' Young playing well despite back injury

Thaddeus Young said he was not 100 percent in Friday's 89-72 win over the Charlotte Bobcats, but it was hard to believe it by the performance of the fifth-year 76ers forward.

During Wednesday's 97-90 overtime loss to the New Jersey Nets, Young suffered a lower back injury but did return to the game.

On Friday he had 10 points, shot 5 for 7 from the field, and had four rebounds and no turnovers in just over 24 minutes.

"It still bothers me and I am not completely 100 percent, but I will go out there, keep playing and keep getting treatment and hopefully it will get better as we progress and time goes on," Young said before Saturday's game at the Wells Fargo Center against the Detroit Pistons.

Young said he was getting daily treatment. What might hurt more is sitting out. Last year he played all 82 games for the first time in his career and hasn't missed one this season.

"I am a trouper," Young said while smiling. "I will keep playing and focus on the things I need to do."

Spencer Hawes missed his seventh consecutive game on Saturday with a left Achilles strain, and fellow Sixers center Nikola Vucevic was sidelined for the fourth straight game with a left knee/quadriceps strain.

"Spencer is continuing to get better," Sixers coach Doug Collins said before Saturday's game. "I don't know when he is going to play, but he is moving better and getting better."

Collins said that Vucevic had a better workout on Saturday and said he was making improvement.

"I think he is still a ways away," Collins said of Vucevic.

The Pistons were without three players: Ben Gordon (sore left shoulder), Will Bynum (strained right foot), and Charlie Villanueva (sore right ankle).

Tayshaun Prince, who missed the previous two games because of a family matter, was back in the starting lineup for the Pistons.

It was Doug Collins bobblehead night and the Sixers coach gave his approval to the giveaway.

"I like the gray hair," he said. "It has wisdom written all over it."