Robert Covington and Richaun Holmes to play vs. Nuggets

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DENVER — Robert Covington and Richaun Holmes will return to the Sixers' lineup and play Wednesday night against the Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Both have missed the last six games (all losses) because of injuries. 

“We look forward to having some bodies back,” Brett Brown said following Wednesday morning's shootaround.

Covington has in the NBA's concussion protocol since suffering a concussion against the Nets on March 11 when he was inadvertently struck in the head and neck area by teammate Jerami Grant's foot during a scrum for a rebound. Covington was carted off the court on a stretcher and taken to Jefferson Hospital for a precautionary stay.

Covington is averaging 11.9 points, 5.9 points and 1.4 assists per game this season. He had averaged 16.0 points (including 43.2 percent three-point shooting), 6.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in the five games prior to the injury. He will not start against the Nuggets, but he will not be placed under a minutes restriction.

Holmes had been sidelined with a right Achilles strain that forced him to leave that same March 11 game. Brown said Holmes will be on a 15- to 18-minute restriction. The rookie is averaging 5.7 points and 2.6 rebounds this season.

“With Richaun’s tenacity on the boards and his athleticism around the basket, I think he’s able to open some things up for us,” Nerlens Noel said.

“Robert, his three-point shooting, spreading out the floor and keeping guys committed, especially on the pick-and-rolls ... I think both of them will bring a noticeable difference to us tonight.”

The Sixers have been undersized with the injuries to Covington, Holmes and Jahlil Okafor, who underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a slight tear of the right meniscus.

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