News and Features

Elton Brand Injury Update: January 13

Today, Elton Brand will go through his second full-contact practice since separating his right shoulder against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 17. Yesterday, Brand participated in practice and his time on the court was limited and monitored by the 76ers training and medical staff.

"It’s good to get back out there," Brand said. "The guys forgot I was hurt. They fouled me pretty hard a couple times. I guess they wanted to test it. And I did too. So it was good to get back out there."

However, DiLeo like what he saw from Brand in his first action back with the team in contact drills in just about three weeks.

"I was encouraged. I didn’t see him shy away at all. He used both arms, ran up to block shots and shot the ball well," DiLeo said.

And when asked if anybody actually hit his shoulder during practice, Brand responded: "We have Reggie Evans on our team, so of course it got hit.

"Royal Ivey actually grabbed it when I went for a lay-up," Brand continued. "It’s good. They aren’t giving me anything because in a game they aren’t going to give you anything. Opponents are going to try and test it also."

While Brand is progressing as expected (he did note that his shoulder is "not 100%, but it's pretty good"), he will be re-evaulated after today's practice and is currently being listed as day-to-day. That being said, it will be a joint decision between Head Coach Tony DiLeo, Brand and the team's medical staff to determine when Brand will return to game action.

"We will monitor him in practice and when he does start to play, we’ll monitor his minutes," DiLeo said. "We’re not just going to put him out there and let him play. We’re going to be conservative on his minutes."

Brand is hoping to test the shoulder more in full-court action at today's practice and then will see how he feels after that, but he is ready to return in whatever capacity he's asked, even if that means initially he comes off the bench in an effort to conserve his minutes at first.

"I’m not a player with one of those egos were I can’t do that. I’m all about winning," Brand said.

Meanwhile, the Sixers have stepped up in his absence, currently riding a season-high four-game winning streak into Wednesday night's tilt with the Portland Trail Blazers.

"Our defense has stepped up," Brand said. "I wish we could lead in the game a little earlier, instead of having to try and come back to take the lead in the fourth quarter and try to hold onto it.

"Andre Miller has been unbelievable. Andre Iguodala is hitting every shot. Lou Williams is coming off the bench with a spark. We're playing well, we’re shooting well and we’re hitting our threes."