NEW YORK — Though he was dressed in workout gear and his official Sixers warm-up suit, there was no chance Nik Stauskas was going to play in Sunday afternoon’s preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center, a 92-91 loss.
But Stauskas could be returning soon.
Out since training camp with a stress reaction in his right tibia, he could be ready for the Sixers' final preseason game, Friday against the Celtics. Ideally, Stauskas would return to practice first, which seems to be a possibility.
“I believe he’s going to play Friday,” coach Brett Brown said. “Nothing has been confirmed. I think getting a game under his belt obviously can’t hurt before opening night.”
Obviously, Stauskas has hurdles to cross before he gets into a game. Though he has been cleared to take part in shooting drills and to run, Stauskas has not participated in a full-contact practice. He also has to be given the OK from the Sixers’ medical and training staffs.
“I’m starting to move around and it feels pretty good, “Stauskas said. “I would like to play [in Friday’s preseason game], but if our training staff doesn’t feel like that’s a good idea, then it’s not a good idea.”
Acquired from Sacramento in July, Stauskas was penciled in as the team’s starting two-guard heading into training camp. Brown also said he’d like to give Stauskas a look at point guard, too, since injuries have ravaged the position with Kendall Marshall and Tony Wroten out indefinitely and Pierre Jackson easing his way back after a nagging groin injury.
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Stauskas was drafted with the No. 8 overall pick in 2014 and appeared in 73 games for the Kings last year. He averaged 4.4 points and shot just 32.2 percent from three-point range, but he improved his long-range shooting to 42.1 percent in 23 games after the All-Star break.