Sixers Notes: Open Roster Spot, Hill’s Return, Zion Matchup

The Sixers are in the final stretch of the NBA season, with about a month-and-a-half to the finish line.

On Thursday, the team made a roster, waiving forward Ignas Brazdeikis, in a move that could impact their playoff roster. Friday is the deadline for players to be eligible to be on the playoff roster, leaving the Sixers one available spot.

Anyone added to the Sixers roster today, is eligible to play in the playoffs this season.

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Brazdeikis was acquired in the George Hill trade from the Knicks and made one appearance, playing seven minutes and grabbing two rebounds.

When will Hill return

Speaking of Hill, the guard was out on the floor before the Sixers game in Boston on Tuesday night.  He was getting some shots up during the pregame shoot-around.  as captured below by our friend Keith Pompey from the Philadelphia Inquire.

The 34-year old has yet to step on the floor in a game since the team acquired him back on March 25. Hill is recovering from thumb surgery that has limited him to just 14 games this season for the Thunder.

Hill had his cast removed about two weeks ago and said he is hopeful to be ready to play sooner than later.

"No one knows the timetable yet," Hill told reporters on Thursday. "But I will be back this season for sure. I will be back before playoffs for sure."

"So just getting everything going. Once you shut your body down for three months or so, not just your finger, you have to make sure the whole car is up to date."

Hill said he felt the progress has been really going well and said that his return should be sooner than expected.

Sixers coach Doc Rivers indicated that he would like to see Hill play in about 10-games, which would place his return at the start of May.

Geaux Sixers

Tonight the Sixers will be in New Orleans to face Zion Williamson the Pelicans. The struggling Pelicans have been dealing with some injury issues as of late, but have really struggled all season on the defensive end of the court.

Who gets the duty to defend Williamson should be an interesting decision for Rivers.

"He's so much more than a dunker," Rivers said.  He is a play-maker at his size. His speed and power is really unmatched."

You can imagine the Sixers will throw a variety of looks his way, with Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris and maybe even Joel Embiid taking turns on the on the 20-year old.

On the season, Williamson has been advertised, scoring 26.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists, shooting 62% from the floor. One area where Williamson doesn't excel is from behind the three-point line, connecting on just nine threes's in 24 attempts.

You can listen to the Sixers and Pelicans tonight at 8 p.m. with Tim McGinnis calling all the action on 97.3 ESPN, South Jersey's Sixers station.