Another Injury, Another Opportunity as Sixers' PG Merry-go-round Continues

CAMDEN, N.J. - The camouflaged tape wrapped around T.J. McConnell's right wrist couldn't disguise the latest hit to the Sixers' backcourt. 

McConnell suffered a sprain on Saturday in a play against John Wall and was in a splint on Tuesday. He did not participate in practice and is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Raptors (see story)

"[I'm] trying to keep it stable and not move it around a lot. I should be good to go very soon," McConnell said. "I'm leaving [when I play] up to the medical staff. I'll just tell them how I feel. It's getting a lot better each day."

Add McConnell to the list of point guards who have battled injuries this season. Let's start at training camp: Jerryd Bayless suffered a left wrist ligament injury that ended up requiring season-ending surgery. His absence bumped Sergio Rodriguez into the starting lineup, until Rodriguez sprained his left ankle in late December and missed three games.

That left McConnell as the team's only healthy true point guard at that point. McConnell played so well as a starter while Rodriguez was sidelined that he remained in the lineup when Rodriguez returned. 

"I obviously want to get back quick, but I know me and my teammates won't lose that cohesion together," McConnell said.  

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This time around, the Sixers are better equipped to handle the injury of a point guard. They signed Chasson Randle from the Westchester Knicks (NBA Development League) to a 10-day contract on Jan. 10. The team liked Randle for his combo skills that would allow him to play shooting guard in practices and give Gerald Henderson an opportunity to rest. Turns out, they need him at the one spot the most. 

Randle played 16 minutes off the bench in Monday's win over the Bucks. He scored 10 points (3 for 6 from the field, 2 for 4 from three, 2 for 2 from the line) with two rebounds, an assist and five fouls. Randle took his first shot just 23 seconds after checking in for Rodriguez and made his first NBA bucket, a three. 

"He did a great job," Rodriguez said. "He stepped up in the game, he made some shots, he got the rhythm of the team going. For us, it's amazing … he's just here for a few days and he's talented and he showed [Monday]."

Now Randle could be the latest point guard to maximize an opportunity created by injury. The Sixers have been impressed by what Stanford's all-time leading scorer can do on both sides of the court. 

"When you start looking at what we have access to, the physical measurements, his wingspan is elite," Brett Brown said. "You sit him in a stance and he spreads out, he uncoils. He really can cover some ground with his width, his length, albeit from a point guard position. Some of the deflections he got and defensive plays he made, I thought were outstanding."

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