CAMDEN, N.J. - The sting the Sixers took from that dreaded rookie curse earlier in the summer is starting to wear off a little bit.
Zhaire Smith underwent a follow-up on his broken left foot on Thursday and has been cleared to begin full weight bearing. Dr. Martin O'Malley, the associate attending orthopedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City who performed the procedure, was pleased with Smith's healing and will reevaluate him in approximately four weeks.
Smith, who was the No. 16 pick in the 2018 NBA draft and acquired by the Sixers, suffered a Jones fracture in his left foot at Tim Grgurich's basketball camp in Las Vegas on Aug. 6 and had surgery on Aug. 9.
While there was no timetable provided for Smith's return, one report stated the team expects him back around Christmas.
Smith wasn't the lone Sixers rookie to get a bit of good injury news. Shake Milton, who was recovering from a stress fracture in his back, was cleared for limited contact and is progressing to full clearance without limitations.
Landry Shamet, the No. 26 overall pick in June by the Sixers, has also been fully cleared from a right ankle sprain he suffered during the team's first summer league game.
