Markelle Fultz will have played just 14 regular season NBA games before the start of the playoffs.
Does the rookie feel like he will be able to contribute in the postseason?
"For sure," Fultz said Sunday. "Any time I step on the floor I feel like I'm ready to contribute. No matter if it's for a little bit of time, one second. As soon as I step on the court, I'm going to compete. I'm a competitor."
Brett Brown increased Fultz's playing time in the Sixers' last game against the Mavericks to get another look at where the rookie is and where he could be for the playoffs.
Fultz scored eight points with three assists, two rebounds, two turnovers and four fouls in 21 minutes off the bench. Brown evaluated Fultz's performance as "OK."
"When I feel the game offensively, defensively, those types of things, it makes me give that answer," Brown explained.
Fultz's season has been limited by a right shoulder injury. He missed 68 games before returning to action on March 26. Since then, he has been utilized as a backup.
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The Sixers could see more of Fultz in an extended role Tuesday night against the Hawks. Ben Simmons is questionable because of gastroenteritis. If he cannot play, Fultz would "probably" get the start, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Sixers have locked in home court advantage and are battling with the Cavaliers for the third spot in the Eastern Conference.
Fultz knows there is room to grow before the postseason. He's eager to get better, too, as the Sixers fine tune playoff rotations.
"I don't feel comfortable or relaxed to say I'm good at anything," Fultz said. "I want to improve on the defensive end, offensively, helping my teammates, so everything."
