Updated: 1:45 p.m.
CAMDEN, N.J. — The injury bug already has hit the Sixers.
Richaun Holmes suffered a non-displaced fracture in the radial bone of his left wrist, the team announced Sunday. The injury took place while Holmes was playing in the third quarter of Friday’s preseason loss to the Celtics. The Sixers will reevaluate Holmes in about three weeks.
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“[I feel] disappointment for him,” Brett Brown said after practice Sunday. “He grabbed a chunk of those minutes where he was performing well enough to earn that.”
Holmes entered training camp ready to fight for minutes at the competitive five spot. He made a strong case for the backup role last season and earned the start in the first preseason game. Holmes posted nine points, three rebounds and three blocks in 17 minutes in that game against the Grizzlies.
“Just having that much talent, having that much depth, you have to earn everything you get,” Holmes said before Wednesday’s game. “It’s kind of how I like it.”
This injury could impact how the Sixers address the center position, particularly Jahlil Okafor’s future with the team. With Holmes sidelined and Joel Embiid not yet cleared to play, the Sixers will need healthy centers. That leaves Okafor, Amir Johnson and Emeka Okafor on the roster with three preseason games remaining. The Sixers have been open about the possibility of trading Jahlil Okafor, but he has been solid off the bench in his first two games of the preseason (11.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, 18.0 minutes).
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Brown’s game plan at center depends on the availability of Embiid, who participated again in a complete practice Sunday.
“I’m not in game shape yet but it’s going to come together as long as I keep working,” Embiid said after practice.
Brown said he may consider moving Dario Saric to center. Saric sat out the first two preseason games for rest after a long summer of international basketball. He is probable for Monday’s game against the Celtics.