The Philadelphia 76ers have just clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2012. But if that wasn't enough, more positive development comes out of the City of Brotherly Love as the Sixers welcomed back this year's top overall in point guard Markelle Fultz.
Fultz has missed a significant amount of games due to a shoulder injury and his return this season had even appeared bleak. But the former Washington Huskie surprised everyone by taking it to the court once again and he did not disappoint.
The Sixers hosted the visiting Denver Nuggets — a determined team that is hungry for a playoff spot in the tight Western Conference race. But Philadelphia played inspired basketball that led to a 19-point victory, 123-104. As expected, Fultz played very limited minutes, 14 to be exact, but was highly productive on the night.
The first-year player did shoot an airball on his first attempt, but once he got his confidence back, Fultz had no trouble making his presence felt. He scored 10 points, dished out eight assists, and grabbed four rebounds to round up his comeback game.
Sixers fans are ecstatic over his performance and so was teammate Joel Embiid, who took to Twitter and expressed just how glad he is to be playing alongside Fultz.
So happy and proud of my brother… Great having you back!!! The future is bright #TheProcess pic.twitter.com/O9ch4cvy3e
— Joel “Troel” Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) March 27, 2018
Indeed, the future is bright in Philadelphia. With Embiid, Fultz, Ben Simmons, and Dario Saric, the Sixers have an excellent combination of youth and talent at their disposal. Come summertime, they are set to enjoy plenty of cap space to possibly accommodate a big-name star or a few capable veterans to guide the team.
But for now, the Sixers' focus is in the playoffs, and their seeding could eventually turn out quite deceiving when Fultz gets more games under his legs. They will be a dangerous opponent and the East's royalties should not sleep on the process-trusting Sixers.
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