As the 2016-2017 comes to an end, the Philadelphia 76ers still can’t rid of their injury woes. This time, small forward, Robert Covington needs surgery on his left knee for a meniscus tear.
Update (cont.):
Robert Covington will undergo surgery to repair the meniscus tear in left knee in the coming days.— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 12, 2017
Robert Covington saw himself become more of a focal point for the 76ers this season when Joel Embiid went out for the season with his own surgery. After the All-Star Break, Covington averaged 16.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.8 steals. His shooting improved to 43.7 percent from 38.3 percent in the first half of the season, and his three-point shooting increased from 32.7 percent to 34.8 percent.
Robert Covington could have played his last game with the 76ers as the team has an option to keep him for one more year at just over $1 million. It’s likely the team decides to pick up his option with the growth he’s shown on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
Ben Simmons didn’t play this entire season due to a foot fracture but has just recently been cleared to do on-court work. Embiid was ruled out for the season after suffering a meniscus tear in his left knee, as well. The other big man on the team, Jahlil Okafor, was shut down on the same day Covington was with seven games left in the season because of right knee soreness.
The 76ers will roll into the next season with at least one high lottery pick, and they will have (hopefully) healthy Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Joel Okafor, and Robert Covington.
