Thaddeus Young out three weeks
by Jason Wolf, USA TODAY Sports
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young has a left hamstring strain, an MRI revealed Tuesday, and is sidelined for approximately three weeks, according to the team.
“Considering how it felt, like a rubber band popping, you think it’s much worse than it is,” Young said. “I just thank God that it wasn’t a season-ending injury or I could have been out for two months.”
Young dropped to the hardwood in agony in the second quarter of Philadelphia’s 78-61 victory against the Orlando Magic on Monday at the Wells Fargo Center, grabbing his left leg after trying to chase down a loose ball. The 6-8 forward was helped to the locker room and did not return.
A grade one strain is the least severe. A grade three strain is a complete tear of the muscle. Young will miss seven games if he returns to the court in exactly three weeks. He is expected to be back in time to play the Magic on Feb. 26 in Philadelphia.
“If there’s any ray of sunshine in that at all, it’s the fact that it’s also occurring during the All-Star break,” Sixers coach Doug Collins said.
Young is perhaps the Sixers’ most consistent player. He leads the team in rebounds (7.4), steals (1.6) and shooting percentage (52.2), is second in scoring (14.9) and his defense is among the strongest of any player on the roster.
“He’s a mismatch against pretty much every team we play,” Sixers forward/center Lavoy Allen said. “It’s going to be tough playing without him, but guys are just going to have to step up. … This is going to be a group effort.”
Allen and rookie Arnett Moultrie figure to see increased playing time in Young’s absence. Allen started the second half in place of Young on Monday and finished with 10 points, six rebounds and three blocks in 30 minutes. Moultrie had four points and two boards in 12 minutes.
“Whatever the team needs me to do, I’ll go out there and do it,” Moultrie said. “It’s just the next man up. We all have to do it collectively as a group and just bring a … [For more on Thaddeus Young out three weeks for Philadelphia 76ers, click here.]
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