76ers' Nerlens Noel: Expected to return this week

Noel (knee), who has been rehabbing in Alabama, is expected to head to Phliadelphia later this week to continue his recovery, Derek Bodner of Philadelphia Magazine reports.

Analysis:

After he was sidelined for most of the preseason with what was labeled as a left strained groin, Noel was later diagnosed with a related inflammation issue in his knee on the same leg, which required a surgical procedure back on Oct. 25. Noel was expected to miss three-to-five weeks while recovering, but since he's already hit the short end of that timetable and has yet to resume practicing, it looks like he could still be a couple weeks or more away from a return. Once he's healthy and ready to play again, Noel may have a tough time finding minutes, as he'll likely find himself behind Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor on the depth chart at center.