Sixers rule Fultz out indefinitely with muscular imbalance in shoulder

The Philadelphia 76ers have ruled No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz out indefinitely after he met with specialists over the weekend, the team announced Sunday.

Fultz was diagnosed with soreness and scapular muscle imbalance in his right shoulder, though no structural damage was found, and he's expected to be re-evaluated in three weeks.

He was ruled out for three games earlier in the week, presumably to get this second opinion before making a judgement on his future.

Fultz's shoulder has been a concern since preseason. His agent later said his client literally couldn't raise his hands to shoot and revealed that Fultz took cortisone shots to relieve pressure.

The Sixers, however, still allowed Fultz to see the floor. He appeared in Philadelphia's first four games of the season, averaging 19 minutes off the bench. Fultz was in noticeable discomfort and his jump shot looked utterly broken. He averaged six points and 1.8 assists while shooting 33.3 percent from the field and 50 percent from the line.

In his absence, Philadelphia will turn to Jerryd Bayless and T.J. McConnell to run the point, while Ben Simmons chips in with playmaking from the wing.