Simons' Hamstring Update Says the Same Thing Twice

By the 76ers Nightly Desk · Tuesday, October 13

The only line that moved in the last day and a half just restates Anfernee Simons' hamstring issue — same status, same body part, no new return estimate. Philadelphia heads into Friday's Celtics rematch 1-2 in preseason, looking for the finish it didn't get in Boston.

76ers Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

What actually changed on Simons?

Not much. The October 12 update on Anfernee Simons kept his tag at the same level and the same hamstring-and-leg location it already carried — no new diagnosis, no new timeline. He's one of eight Sixers carrying a questionable label into Friday, and this update didn't change where he sits on that list.

When does a game actually count?

Not yet. Philadelphia's next game is Friday, October 16, a home rematch with Boston on NBA TV, still preseason. The opener that counts is October 20 on the road against the Knicks, broadcast on NBC/Peacock. Everything before that date is still evaluation.

What's one number worth sitting with?

Minus-21. That's Philadelphia's combined scoring margin across three preseason games — up 23 beating New York, down 6 at Brooklyn, down 38 at Boston. Average it out and that's a seven-point loss per game since the opener, while half of Nick Nurse's regulars sat out pieces of all three nights.

Who actually backs up Embiid in the middle right now?

Nobody proven. Ariel Hukporti tore his Achilles on the right side, with a target return in October 2027 — effectively erasing his season. Adem Bona has carried an unresolved foot issue since September 17, and Tacko Fall an unresolved hip issue since October 1; neither has been cleared. That leaves Dean Wade as the only healthy big on the roster behind Embiid himself.

The verdictNothing in the last day and a half changes the plan: get bodies on the floor by Friday, then for real on October 20. The frontcourt behind Embiid is still the open problem camp hasn't solved.

Is Anfernee Simons injured for the 76ers right now?

Yes, he is listed with a hamstring and leg issue as of October 12, with Friday, October 16 as the target for him to be available again.

When does the 76ers' 2026-27 regular season start?

October 20, on the road against the Knicks, broadcast on NBC/Peacock.