CAMDEN, N.J. — Guerschon Yabusele spent most of Tuesday in the dark, unable to see much after leaving the 76ers’ game Monday night with the ominous injury report designation of “contact to both eyes.”
So the Frenchman was pleasantly surprised to see the light of day at practice Friday, seemingly little worse off for a week of discomfort.
“It was weird, because I feel like I couldn’t see for 24 hours, more or less, because I got hit in both eyes,” Yabusele said. “So it was tough for me to be in bright light. Walking around, I felt like I needed assistance. I couldn’t drive. It was hard a little bit, but I’m glad I feel better.”
Yabusele’s was the injury added to the insult of Monday’s 142-110 shellacking by the Bulls. Termed a corneal abrasion in one eye and significant swelling in the other, Yabusele needed to be helped off the court and helped in most other aspects for the next couple of days. He missed Wednesday’s 110-105 loss to the Knicks but was a full participant Friday ahead of Saturday night’s visit from Golden State.
He admitted a bit of surprise at the quick recuperation.
“I have no clue what was the injury or what was going on,” he said. “In my mind, when I recall it, I feel like his finger was so far into my eye, like he could touch my brain. The feeling was like, oh my god. I was trying to open it and I just couldn’t. It was weird and it was really painful. But I’m glad to be back. I feel like I’m blessed to be back that quick and I want to be out there and play with my guys.”
Wednesday was just the fourth game Yabusele has missed. He said team doctors haven’t required protective eyewear, and Yabusele is against the Horace Grant look, but he’ll try out eye protection at shootaround Saturday.
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Among the myriad lineup patchworks, the center position has been possibly the most affected. It’s heartening to coach Nick Nurse, then, that Andre Drummond seems to be playing like he’s whole again.
From Christmas to the second week of February, Drummond played only five games, battling a toe injury that wouldn’t heal. He’s averaged 6.9 points and 7.4 rebounds in 34 games this season, not helped by the fact that his role as Joel Embiid’s backup has been imploded by Embiid’s unavailability.
But the All-Star Break gave the 13-year veteran a chance to rest and treat his balky toe. He’s played five straight games, averaging 7.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per.
“I think the break was definitely beneficial for me to really do the necessary rehab I needed to on my foot,” Drummond said. “Crucial timing, too. Just coming back now and feeling like myself again has been good for me. I feel really good. I’m moving around a lot faster, more agile, starting to be able to put a little more force on my foot. So definitely, a lot of good things to come.”
Nurse called the recent stretch some of Drummond’s best basketball of the season. The 76ers got him for his mobility, especially in the pick-and-roll, and the toe issue dashed that. His rim attacking opens up the entire floor, for slashers or kick-outs to shooters.
“I think he was putting a little bit more pressure on the rim,” Nurse said. “He should be able to get one or two, three putbacks off offensive rebounds.”
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The 76ers welcome back Jimmy Butler Saturday as Golden State visits. The one-time franchise hope was acquired from Miami while the Heat were in Philadelphia Feb. 5, though Butler was suspended by the team.
Since acquiring Butler, the Warriors are 7-1.
“He’s been doing mostly a lot of distributing and setting up, but they’re really good at that,” Nurse said. “One of the things that makes them hard to guard is when the ball switches somewhere, the timing that they have screening in for one of their shooters flying off is almost seamless. And the rest of them have got that part, so he’s just kind of at the top distributing.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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