Barlow Needs More Time Before Returning to Sixers’ Court

Barlow has yet to make his season debut as he recovers from a lumbar spine bone stress response. He had been doing individual work before Philadelphia’s Wednesday game against Detroit, but has not been cleared to practice on court.

The Sixers reassessed his recovery on Tuesday, after initially planning to evaluate him two weeks into the season. Nurse said the checkup went well and that the medical staff was positive about his progress, while estimating another 10 to 12 days before Barlow could be cleared to test himself on the court.

Philadelphia has leaned on Adem Bona as its backup center since Ariel Hukporti suffered an Achilles injury in the preseason. The team has also used smaller lineups, including Jabari Walker and Dean Wade, and LeBron James at center when Joel Embiid is off the floor.

Embiid has been managing plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Monday’s victory over Chicago limited his playing time, and he has missed two contests scheduled on consecutive days while the club looks after his condition.

Barlow is in his second season with Philadelphia and fifth in the NBA, having previously played for Atlanta and San Antonio. He averaged 7.7 points and 4.8 rebounds in 71 games last season as part of the Sixers’ frontcourt rotation.