For the next few weeks, a member of the Philadelphia 76ers’ rotation will be on the bench. Danny Green, the team’s starting winger, suffered a calf injury in Game 3 against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, and while he finally returned to the bench, he did so while wearing a walking boot on his right leg.
Green has a calf strain, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, and though he could return later in the postseason, the veteran is expected to miss the next 2-3 weeks.
Despite Green’s absence, Philly looked in command against the Hawks, indicating that they have a chance to beat Atlanta even without him. However, with a huge matchup against either the Nets or the Bucks looming in the conference finals, Green’s absence would be a major blow, since his defense and perimeter shooting are crucial components of the Sixers’ puzzle.
The East’s two series will be completed no later than next Sunday. Green, who was acquired in the summer, has averaging 9.5 points and 1.3 steals in 28 minutes a game for the 76ers. He started all 69 regular-season games he played in and made 40.5 percent of his three-point shots.
