Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Markelle Fultz to play for Sixers against Denver Nuggets

The 76ers' first overall pick in last June's NBA draft has not played in an official game since Oct. 23, the fourth game of the regular season.

Markelle Fults has not played in an official NBA game for the Philadelphia 76ers since Oct. 23, the fourth game of the regular season.
Markelle Fults has not played in an official NBA game for the Philadelphia 76ers since Oct. 23, the fourth game of the regular season.Read moreYong Kim/Staff Photographer

Markelle Fultz will return to action Monday night against the Denver Nuggets at the Wells Fargo Center.

The 76ers announced Monday evening that he has been cleared to play. Brett Brown said he will come off the bench as Ben Simmons' backup point guard.

"It was his decision," Brown said of Fultz playing. "It's been fluid and I get goosebumps telling you all that. I'm so proud of him. The people around him have done great things and I give that kid credit."

Fultz, the 76ers' first overall pick in last June's NBA draft, has not played in an official game since Oct. 23, the fourth game of the regular season. He had missed the previous 68 games while trying to regain his shooting touch. By returning now, he will have 10 regular-season to get back in basketball shape before the playoffs begin. That's enough games to help him get his legs under him for the playoffs.

"He and I have been talking a lot, and never was it at a stage where it's definitely going to happen," Brown said.

Brown said on Monday that he felt good about the performances Fultz was having in practices and his workouts. He could tell that guard regained his confidence.

"You could feel that, you could see that," Brown said. "He came to me and said, 'coach I'm ready to play, coach I want to play tonight.'"