Sixers’ top rookie Fultz goes down with ankle sprain

MANILA, Philippines – Philadelphia 76ers top rookie Markelle Fultz suffered an ankle sprain during an NBA Summer League game on Saturday, July 8 (Sunday in Manila).

The number one overall pick of this year’s NBA Draft rolled his ankle during the third quarter in a game against the Golden State Warriors. He had to be assisted off the court by his teammates, and was subsequently diagnosed with a sprained ankle, per ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne.

Markelle Fultz Rolls ankle in summer league Game … looks like he’s done for the rest of SL pic.twitter.com/4ysA9ItuFv

— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) July 9, 2017

Fultz, a guard out of University of Washington, played 15 minutes and scored 8 points before his injury. Fultz had also just signed his contract with the Sixers, as announced on Saturday.

Looked like a left ankle sprain for #1 overall pick Markelle Fultz, getting helped off pic.twitter.com/aceCgUGhc5

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) July 9, 2017

The Sixers still escaped with the victory, 95-93, but the injury blow cast another dark shadow over a team that’s struggled with rebuilding due to injuries to its top rookies, like Ben Simmons last year and 2014 third overall selection Joel Embiid.

Center Embiid was quick to react to the injury on Twitter:

Oh no no no.. don’t do this to us

— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) July 9, 2017

– Rappler.com