De’Anthony Melton has not played in a game for the Philadelphia 76ers since February 27th against the Boston Celtics, when he left with a lumbar spine bone stress injury. It has been so long that many fans wondered whether Melton would be available come playoff time.
However, some hope for Sixers fans has arrived in the form of his injury status. Melton has been upgraded to questionable for today’s game against the Detroit Pistons.
Melton lives up to his nickname, “Mr. Do Something”
Affectionately known as “Mr. Do Something,” De’Anthony Melton shows off his willingness and ability to do anything asked of him whenever he’s on the court.
Melton is not the flashiest player on the Sixers’ roster, but he has been one of the most important in his two short years with them. This year, the former USC Trojan was relied on more heavily than he was last year, thanks to James Harden‘s departure.
He was an ideal complement to Tyrese Maxey throughout the season, and despite his field goal and three-point percentage dipping, he was one of the most influential Sixers in the games that he’s played. Combine his fit next to Maxey with his age, which is only 25, and there’s a real chance he and Maxey will play together for a long time if the Sixers re-sign him this offseason.
Melton is currently averaging a career-high 11.5 points per game on 39.1% from the field and 36.0% from three. He also leads the team in steals per game with 1.6. Hopefully, Melton finds his way back onto the court for the Sixers in time to impact Philadelphia’s playoff run.
He currently has 26 games of NBA Playoff experience between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Philadelphia 76ers. Last year, he shot 38.8% from three in the playoffs while grabbing 1.2 steals a game. Philadelphia would certainly prefer to have him available for the postseason.
