Nik Stauskas Injury: Updates on 76ers Guard's Back and Return

Nik Stauskas will have to wait at least one more game to make his Philadelphia 76ers debut as he deals with a back injury. 

Continue for updates.

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Stauskas Considered Day-to-Day With Back Injury

Wednesday, Oct. 28

Back spasms will keep Stauskas out of the team's first game of the season against the Boston Celtics, per Bob Cooney of the Daily News.

He was a game-time decision to play against the Celtics, per John Finger of CSNPhilly.com, but the team ultimately decided he wasn't ready to go.  

This is just the latest injury for Stauskas, who hurt his tibia while playing in the FIBA Tournament of the Americas this fall, according to Finger. He averaged 12.3 points per game for the Canadian team. He is coming off a rookie season with the Sacramento Kings in which he scored 4.4 points and grabbed 1.9 rebounds per game.

The second-year guard out of Michigan told Finger on Tuesday he was able to complete a full practice and hoped he would be ready for the opener after the tournament ended Sept. 12.

"I’m super excited," Stauskas said. "I worked so hard this offseason to prepare myself for this moment. So whether it’s [Wednesday] or later, I’m ready. I’m just ready to go."

He also discussed his recovery.

"I wouldn’t say it was great, because I’d rather be on the floor, but my body was pretty beat up after the summer," Stauskas said. "I overdid it a bit at times even when I wasn’t playing for Team Canada, so it was good to get my body some rest and start the season healthy."

Philadelphia head coach Brett Brown talked about Stauskas' game Oct. 25 after a recent practice. He thinks the former Wolverine star will add some versatility to his team, according to Brian Seltzer of NBA.com: "He’s got a feel for the game. He can do things off a pick-and-roll, and on go-catch/catch-go. And we all know he’s known for being a shooter.  So those things you saw in a very small lens. A tiny, small sample size. But, you saw it."

The next chance for Stauskas to test his back and see if he can play is Friday at home against the Utah Jazz. The 76ers then welcome LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 2 to the Wells Fargo Center.