By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Ladies and gentleman, it is happening. During his pre-game press conference with the media, Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown announced that 2017 first overall pick Markelle Fultz will play tonight.
#Sixers coach Brett Brown making the announcement that @MarkelleF will play tonight pic.twitter.com/N62liefHjt
— Marc Narducci (@sjnard) March 26, 2018
He will not be on a minutes restriction, but his fitness level will determine how much he plays.
Fultz appeared in four games earlier this season before missing the next 68 games with scapular muscle imbalance in his shooting shoulder. The injury put Fultz through a rehabilitation program that included relearning his shot.
Markelle will come off the bench and back-up Ben Simmons, per Brown. T.J. McConnell will shift to an off-ball role with Fultz back in the mix.
More and more videos of Fultz’s progression have surfaced over the last week, leading some to believe he’d return prior to the end of the season. Brett Brown said during media availability last week that the decision to play was mostly on Fultz and the former Washington product came to Brown and said that he’s ready.
Here’s Robert Covington’s reaction:
#Sixers F Robert Covington reacts to the news that Markelle Fultz will play tonight vs Denver pic.twitter.com/SWHts1gkQH
— Marc Narducci (@sjnard) March 26, 2018
Ersan Ilysova comments on Fultz in his brief time back in Philadelphia:
#Sixers F Ersan Ilyasova talks about what he has seen from @MarkelleF in his brief time with the team. Fultz will play tonight pic.twitter.com/EcVIdUKNhH
— Marc Narducci (@sjnard) March 26, 2018
