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Robert Covington sits out Sixers game with sore knee

As the NBA season winds down, the 76ers' injury list continues to grow. Forward Robert Covington is the latest to be sidelined. He missed the game Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks at the Wells Fargo Center with right knee discomfort.

As the NBA season winds down, the 76ers' injury list continues to grow. Forward Robert Covington is the latest to be sidelined. He missed the game Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks at the Wells Fargo Center with right knee discomfort.

The 6-foot-9 Covington played 38 minutes, 23 seconds and contributed 21 points and 13 rebounds Tuesday in a 106-101 win over the Nets in Brooklyn. According to a team spokesman, after the game Covington notified the medical staff of discomfort in his right knee that was accompanied by swelling.

Covington underwent an MRI exam Wednesday afternoon and the results were not immediately known. He was not available for comment before the game.

Covington is averaging 12.9 points and 6.5 rebounds in 67 games.

Okafor remains out

Sixers center Jahlil Okafor missed his fourth straight game with a sore right knee. He has appeared in 50 of the Sixers' 75 games and has missed 11 with right knee soreness. Okafor has been dealing with soreness after undergoing surgery on March 22, 2016, to repair a torn meniscus in the knee.

Ilyasova returns

In pregame introductions, Atlanta forward Ersan Ilyasova received a nice ovation in his first game back since being dealt to the Hawks on Feb. 22. The Sixers had acquired him Nov. 1 from Oklahoma City.

In 53 games for the Sixers, the 6-10 Ilyasova averaged 14.8 points and 5.9 rebounds.

"To welcome Ersan back into the building is a pleasure," Sixers coach Brett Brown said before the game. "He was a complete, serious pro, ruthless in his own preparation."

Brown said Ilyasova, made a huge impression on the young Sixers team.

"He taught more by example than through voice," Brown said. "Veteran leadership is a priceless thing. All teams need it, especially a young team."

Ilyasova, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, said he had great memories of his brief time in Philadelphia.

"I really enjoyed being around those guys," Ilyasova said before the game. "They play unselfish, they play the right way. It was always a pleasure to be part of something like that."

Getting to the point

With Sergio Rodriquez out with a strained left hamstring, Nik Stauskas was the backup point guard to T.J. McConnell for the second straight game.

"We had a stretch earlier this year when Sergio went down and I had to fill in as the backup point guard," said Stauskas, who entered the game averaging a career-best 9.3 points. "It is something I feel comfortable doing because it gives me the opportunity to have the ball in my hands, playing the pick and roll, and be a playmaker, and I think that is when I am at my best."