Kelly Oubre made a triumphant return to the court for the Philadelphia 76ers after a month-long absence due to a fractured rib. Initially expected to miss a significant amount of time, Oubre surprised many by returning to action sooner than anticipated. The veteran forward, who had been diligently working on his recovery, expressed his gratitude for being back on the court.
In his first public comments since the setback, Oubre opened up about the challenges of dealing with the trauma surrounding the incident that led to his injury. He acknowledged the difficulty of sitting out despite a successful start to the season and emphasized the mental boost his return provided. Oubre described the experience as a blessing, considering the time he spent on the couch and in rehab facilities.
During his comeback game against the Washington Wizards, Oubre played off the bench for 19 minutes. Despite a shaky start, he found his rhythm in the second half, contributing 12 points and leading the Sixers’ bench in scoring. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse expressed initial concerns about Oubre’s synchronization and rhythm but trusted him enough to give significant playing time in the second half.
Oubre himself acknowledged that this wasn’t a night to “destroy,” opting to play smoothly and let the game come to him. As he eases back into his role, Oubre’s performance in the second half was deemed impressive by Coach Nurse, who highlighted Oubre’s impact as a spark off the bench. Oubre showcased his athleticism with drives to the basket, offensive rebounds, and overall key contributions.
While Oubre’s return was somewhat overshadowed by Joel Embiid’s 50-point scoring masterclass, the forward demonstrated that he can pick up where he left off before the injury. As he continues to gradually increase his playing time and reacclimate to the game, Oubre’s production is expected to see a boost once again. The positive outcome of his return serves as a promising sign for the Sixers as they navigate the season.
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