Basketball
Philadelphia 76ers' fans couldn't be happier than to see Markelle Fultz on the court. He made his return to Monday night action after a 68-game absence. Fultz received the standing ovation from fans at the Wells Fargo Center as he entered the court.
Sixers won the game by 123-104 against Denver Nuggets. The 2017 NBA draft no. 1 pick appeared on the court for the first time since October 23 due to a shoulder injury.
Philly welcomes @MarkelleF with a standing ovation! ?? pic.twitter.com/RXROoESyHZ
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 26, 2018
On his return, Fultz registered 10 points playing as a backup point guard for Ben Simmons. He made his entry into the game at the end of the first quarter with less than 3 minutes remaining. However, he went on the score 10 points on 5-for-13 shooting from the field, while recording eight assists and grabbing four rebounds.
"There was a little bit of excitement. And a little bit of 'I have to help the team. I don't want to let the team down.' Once I stepped out there on the floor, it felt great to be back out there with my brothers.", the Sixers' point guard said after the match.
So happy and proud of my brother... Great having you back!!! The future is bright #TheProcess pic.twitter.com/O9ch4cvy3e
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) March 27, 2018
As per some sources, Fultz is the only player after former Washington Bullet Kevin Porter (1980) to record 10 points and 8 assists in under 15 minutes in the shot-clock era.
76ers' coach Brett Brown made the announcement of his return to the reporters before the match and said," I get goose bumps telling you all that. I’m so proud of him."
Fans made the chants of "Fultz" as soon as he entered the court but he later revealed that he was confused who the audiences were chanting for-one moment he felt like they were calling out Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback Nick Foles who recently led Eagles to a win in Super Bowl LII.
Sixers have already made their place in the playoffs. With the return of their star rookie, though they are not the favorites, they seem now a possible threat in the Eastern Conference that every other team would like to avoid.
