Carter-Williams to play Tuesday despite shin injury

Michael Carter-Williams isn't being a bro to Larry Drew II.

With Drew nearing the end of his second 10-day contract with the team, Tuesday is likely his last chance to impress the Philadelphia 76ers' brass and earn a contract for the rest of the season. It looked as if Drew may get a start and heavy run with which to do so, but that won't be the case.

Carter-Williams will suit up against the Denver Nuggets despite dealing with a bruised right shin and sprained left ankle. The reigning Rookie of the Year was pulled from Monday's game in the third quarter due to the shin injury but a good night's rest must have done him well.

It's good news for the Sixers, if not Drew's audition. The team has been 5.6 points per-100 possessions better with Carter-Williams on the floor this season and their 12th-ranked defense is appreciably better with him playing.

In 40 games, the Syracuse product is averaging 15 points, 6.2 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.5 steals. While his offensive efficiency has decreased as his usage has gone up in his second season, he appears to be building chemistry with other pieces of the core. The four-man unit of Carter-Williams, Robert Covington, Nerlens Noel and KJ McDaniels, for example, has outscored opponents by 2.7 points per-100 possessions in 260 minutes together, an exciting trend for the young team.