ORLANDOLast weeks two-game run against Atlanta and the L.A. Lakers in which center Spencer Hawes rejoined the Sixers and helped the team to a pair of victories very well could be the last the big man is seen on the court for a little while.
Hawes has appeared in just 14 of the Sixers 30 games this season and only two games since Jan. 16. The 23-year-old, five-year veteran missed a handful of games with a strained lower back during January before injuring his Achilles three games after he returned from the injured back.
Hawes underwent an MRI exam last week and likely will see a specialist to get a second opinion for his injured heel, according to Sixers president Rod Thorn.
If youre not coming along as well as youd like, you have a second opinion and thats what well do, Thorn said, also noting that he and Hawes agent, Greg Lawrence, had a conversation.
Meanwhile, the Sixers have five more games before the All-Star break and Thorn says Hawes will probably miss all of those.
We havent made that determination for sure yet, but the odds are that he probably will, Thorn said. Hes not ready to play yet, so the chances are he wont play until after the All-Star break.
With Hawes in the lineup, the Sixers are 12-2. He has notched six double-doubles and averaged 10.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 27.6 minutes. Without Hawes, the Sixers have used rookies Nikola Vucevic and Lavoy Allen as well as veteran Tony Battie. Plus, 13-year veteran Elton Brand has stepped up and played through a thumb injury that likely would force him to the bench if he wasnt so needed.
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Nevertheless, the Sixers have made out despite the loss of the starting center.
Its always a concern when a guy playing as well as he was is unable to play, but he hasnt played for how long? Hes played in just two out of the last 15 so as far as the team goes weve made the adjustments that we can make. Hopefully hell get well sooner rather than later, Thorn said.
Wednesday night, Allen was in the starting lineup for the fifth time this season. The Sixers are 4-0 in his previous starts.
E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com.