Markelle Fultz Is Back In The Sixers Lineup As Ben Simmons’ Backup Against Denver

The Philadelphia 76ers clinched a playoff berth on Sunday despite not even playing, and on Monday the team got more good news as the No. 1 overall pick from the 2017 NBA Draft, Markelle Fultz, is set to return to the Sixers lineup against the Nuggets.

Brett Brown told the media on Monday evening that Fultz came to him prior to the game and said he was ready to play, and Brown immediately inserted him back into the lineup as Ben Simmons’ backup.

Fultz’s teammates weren’t even made aware of the stunning decision before Brown announced it to the media, as he was given the green light by Fultz to insert him into the active lineup shortly before his media availability.

Fultz has not played since October, after appearing in four games and being shut down due to a somewhat mysterious shoulder injury. Since then we’ve seen varying updates on Fultz’s progress, from worrisome changes to his shooting form to more encouraging signs recently. Brown said the other day he felt Fultz was “quite close” to a return, but few expected that to materialize in Fultz returning to the floor this week.

As for how much Fultz will play, Brown expects him to see about 14 minutes of action, serving as Simmons’ primary backup at point guard. ESPN’s Chris Haynes reports there’s no set minutes restriction for Fultz, and that how much he plays will be dictated by his fitness level.

Fultz’s return figures to be a boost for a Philadelphia team that could use more backcourt help going into the playoffs and it will be fascinating to see how he looks in his first game back and what he can give this Sixers team for a postseason run.