Sixers Injury Update: Jahlil Okafor Out, Jerryd Bayless Iffy for Preseason Opener

When the Sixers play their first preseason game of the 2016-17 season on Tuesday against the Celtics, they'll be shorthanded. 

The most obvious absence will be that of No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons who fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot and will "likely" need surgery. 

The Sixers will also be without the services of last year's No. 3 overall pick Jahlil Okafor against Boston on Tuesday. Okafor is coming back from a torn meniscus he suffered towards the end of his rookie season.

Okafor worked out on a side court during the team's scrimmage that was open to the media. There was no setback, but head coach Brett Brown wanted Okafor to get a little more time under his belt before throwing him into game action.

"Preparation on a court, scrimmaging up and down, and he's on a very sort of short leash in regards of what we've allowed him to do," Brown said. "The end game is how do you deliver a team, Jahlil being amongst that, to Oct. 26 on opening night? And health rules the day. Always has, always will."

Jerryd Bayless, who is battling a left wrist injury, has not been ruled out, but didn't sound like a guy ready to play his first preseason game on Tuesday. He was wearing brace on the wrist and didn't appear to be using it at all as he threw up some shots on a side court.

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"I feel good," Bayless said. "I'm just trying to be cautious with it right now. It's a long season, obviously, so I'm just taking it day by day right now and just getting better every day. "

With Simmons out, it complicates Brown's starting lineup. Simmons was probably the only lock to start heading into the season. Bayless, to hear Brown tell it, is the favorite and almost a lock to start at point guard. Starting in Simmons' place will likely be Dario Saric, though the rookie has been battling some minor back issues. He was able to participate at practice on Monday.

"I'm not really 100 percent sure right now," Brown said of who would start. "I need to see how Dario's back shapes up. ... Jerryd has some wrist problems, so I think it's sort of unfair for me to even say anything. A few days ago I said this was a group you put on the floor and start them. We had Ben's injury and something going on with Jerryd's wrist and so I feel like tomorrow (I'll know more). 

"You know how I am, it's not like I'm trying to play secrets, I just truly need more information to give you a better answer, a more honest answer."

Unfortunately for Brown, this isn't unfamiliar territory. He's had to piece together starting lineups and rotations during his first three seasons because of injuries. 

A welcome site will be big man Joel Embiid finally stepping onto the court for the Sixers. Brown said he was leaning towards starting Embiid, despite a minutes restriction.

"I'm not prepared to say a number but we all know there's gonna be a restriction on him so at that point it's like 'how do you spend your money?'" Brown said. "And the restriction will be stringent, it'll be strict and so there is now opportunities for Shawn (Long), Nerlens (Noel) and all those guys. And I look forward to seeing those guys under those terms. I think it does clean it up a little bit."

Will Brown be economical with Embiid's minutes?

"I feel like if you made me give you an answer right now, I feel like I'm gonna spend my money quick," Brown said. "Instead of like nursing it — four minutes here, four minutes there, two, three periods later — I think you just gotta play him and maybe you don't have him for the second half."

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