Markelle Fultz Talks 76ers Return, Fans Chanting His Name and More

Philadelphia 76ers rookie point guard Markelle Fultz returned to the court in Monday's 123-104 win over the Denver Nuggets at Wells Fargo Center, and the overwhelmingly positive reaction he received from the fans in Philadelphia encouraged him.

At one point, the crowd was chanting Fultz's last name, which the No. 1 overall pick didn't initially think much of.

"I thought they were saying 'Nick Foles,'" Fultz said, alluding to the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). "Then I realized it, and it was pretty dope. These fans are great, and I love them."

Fultz finished with 10 points and eight assists in 14 minutes on the floor, which is a solid return considering he had missed Philadelphia's last 68 games. According to NBA.com, only one other player in the shot-clock era had 10 points and eight assists in fewer than 15 minutes.

Markelle Fultz Game Highlights

The 19-year-old mentioned how his comfort level climbed once he got back into game action.

"It was a little bit of excitement and little bit of just like, I gotta help the team," he said. "Once I stepped on the floor, it felt great just to be back out there with my brothers."

With only nine games left in the regular season, there isn't much time for Fultz to find his groove before the playoffs get underway. But even if he's playing just 15 or 20 minutes a game, Fultz could be a difference-maker off the bench for the Sixers in a postseason series.

The team already had enough to get excited about this year, with Joel Embiid staying healthy and Ben Simmons likely winning Rookie of the Year. Fultz's return provides even more reason for optimism about the franchise's future.