Sergio Rodriguez out with hamstring injury
NEW YORK - Sergio Rodriguez just played in arguably his best two-game stretch of the season. Now the 76ers backup point guard won't be able to play again for at least a week.
NEW YORK - Sergio Rodriguez just played in arguably his best two-game stretch of the season. Now the 76ers backup point guard won't be able to play again for at least a week.
An MRI exam Tuesday morning revealed that Rodriguez has a strained left hamstring. He will be sidelined for a week. Rodriguez was hurt in the first half on Sunday's setback to the Indiana Pacers. He remained in the game but felt some pain after he woke up Monday morning.
"It's a mess because there's no pain at all," Rodriguez said before Tuesday night's game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center. "I have a little strain and that's what it is."
Rodriguez has averaged 7.8 points and 5.1 assists in 68 games, including 30 starts. He had 12 points, seven assists and four rebounds in 22 minutes against the Chicago Bulls on Friday. Then he came back with 16 points while making 4 of 6 three-pointers in 24 minutes against the Pacers.
"I'm feeling great," Rodriguez said. "I'm in great shape. . . . Those two games, it was great to have the opportunity to be playing more and be very comfortable playing.
"And like I said, it hurts not to be able to play tonight because of this little thing."
Rodriguez will miss at least four games.
Saric at point?
Dario Saric began his basketball career as a point guard. The Sixers believe the 6-foot-10, 245-pounder can still play that position if need be.
Nik Stauskas is now the backup point guard with Rodriguez sidelined. Saric would step in if something happens to Stauskas and starting point guard T.J. McConnell.
"I think you can give Dario the ball," coach Brett Brown said.
Asked to elaborate, Brown said, "I think if you put another [power forward] on Dario Saric, he's going to have no problem bringing the ball up the floor."
The coach noted that elite, athletic power forwards like Golden State's Draymond Green will still present a challenge. Still, the Sixers are confident that Saric can run the team if needed.
"We've seen it enough to know that my comments aren't outrageous," Brown said. "In the situation we're in, you could connect some of those dots.
"I don't want to make this a bigger story than it needs to be. As a third option, when you're looking at eight players, it enters your mind."