Sixers’ Tiago Splitter is ‘close’ to making return

By Josh Liddick, Sports Talk Philly Staff 

It could be sooner rather than later for Sixers fans to see Tiago Splitter hit the court for the team. Splitter, who has not played since January 31 of the 2015-2016 season due to a calf injury, was traded to the Sixers from the Hawks for Ersan Ilyasova before the trade deadline.

It was said that the 32 year-old center could miss the rest of the season, and it was unlikely he would even see time in a Sixers uniform. Splitter is hopeful to get back on to the court soon, but would need a chance to work a 5-on-5 drill first.

#Sixers Splitter on getting close: pic.twitter.com/Qgr80KsvGy

— Tom Moore (@tmoore76ers) March 16, 2017

Keith Pompey of the Inquirer reported that Coach Brett Brown is hopeful that Splitter could get a stint with the Delaware 87ers in the D-League in the near future.

Sixers' Brett Brown said Tiago Splitter could go down to the D-League to practice or maybe even play as part of his rehab in the future.

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) March 10, 2017

While Splitter doesn't seem to fit the Sixers' future in any way, it's nice to see the team find interest in tending to the rehab of his strained calf injury that has left him sidelined for over a year now.