DE'ANTHONY MELTON NEWS

Won't return Tuesday Melton is out for the remainder of Tuesday's game versus the Celtics due to back spasms, Lauren Rosen of the 76ers' official site reports. He will end the contest with zero points...

Impact Melton continues to deal with a back issue that caused him to enter Tuesday's contest operating under a minutes restriction. The 25-year-old guard's next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with Charlotte.

FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Still on minute restriction Melton will be limited to 15-25 minutes of action in Tuesday's game against Boston, Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Impact Melton is joined by Kyle Lowry and Nicolas Batum on the same workload estimation, so Philadelphia's rotation is tough to evaluate at the moment. Melton looked sharp Sunday in his second game back from an extended absence, delivering 16 points in 18 minutes.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Leads bench in scoring in loss Melton registered 16 points (5-12 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, three assists and two steals in 18 minutes during Sunday's 119-98 loss to Milwaukee.

Impact Melton led all 76ers bench players in scoring while connecting on a team-high mark from three and adding a pair of steals defensively to boost the Philadelphia second unit. Melton has scored 15 or more points in 12 contests this year, making four or more threes in eight appearances.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Will come off bench again Melton (back) is available for Sunday's game against the Bucks, but he'll come off the bench, Austin Krell of USA Today reports.

Impact Melton returned to action Friday following an 18-game absence due to a lumbar spine stress response, scoring seven points in 16 minutes off the bench during a win over the Cavaliers. It appears he'll be limited to around 20 minutes again Sunday, but he may eventually reclaim a starting spot over Buddy Hield or Kelly Oubre. Regardless, Melton's fantasy outlook is worse than it was before his injury, as Philadelphia has added Hield, Cameron Payne and Kyle Lowry to its backcourt rotation since Melton played last.

FEBRUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Gets light bench role in return Melton (back) recorded seven points (2-6 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), one rebound and one assist across 16 minutes Friday in the 76ers' 104-97 win over the Cavaliers.

Impact Melton came off the bench and was on a playing-time restriction in his return from an 18-game absence due to a lumbar spine stress response, but the 25-year-old guard won't necessarily be in store for a major uptick in minutes even once he's free of limitations. The 76ers beefed up their guard depth at the trade deadline with the acquisitions of Buddy Hield and Cam Payne, and the recent addition of Kyle Lowry -- who sat out Friday for conditioning purposes -- presents yet another threat that Melton will face for playing time. Melton could eventually unseat Hield or Kelly Oubre for a starting role on the wing, but his playing-time outlook moving forward is still unquestionably worse than it had been prior to him suffering the back injury in January.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared, but will be limited Melton (back) is available for Friday's game versus the Cavaliers, Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Impact As expected, Melton has been upgraded from probable to available and will play for the first time since Jan. 12. However, he's expected to be limited to around 20 minutes, so fantasy managers can likely keep him out of lineups until he resumes his usual role.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Officially considered probable Melton (back) is probable for Friday's game against the Cavaliers.

Impact Coach Nick Nurse said Thursday that Melton will play in Friday's matchup, and the guard's probable designation echoes Nurse's optimism. Assuming Melton can play, it wouldn't be surprising to see him face a minutes restriction.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Out Thursday, will play Friday Coach Nick Nurse said Thursday that Melton (back) will play in Friday's game versus the Cavaliers, Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Impact Melton has already been ruled out Thursday due to a back injury, marking his 18th straight absence. However, the 25-year-old guard will be good to go for Friday's matchup with Cleveland. Melton will likely be on a minutes restriction as he eases his way back into Philadelphia rotation.

FEBRUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Thursday Melton (back) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Knicks.

Impact Melton hasn't played since Jan. 12 but is nearing a return after logging a full practice Wednesday. Thursday is the front half of a back-to-back set, so Philadelphia may just be giving the shooting guard an extra day off before he suits up for Friday's contest versus Cleveland, though his status for that game likely won't be revealed until after Thursday's matchup.

FEBRUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Goes through practice Melton (back) was able to practice in full Wednesday, Lauren Rosen of the 76ers' official site reports.

Impact Melton has been sidelined since Jan. 12, but this is a good indication that he could be ready for Thursday's game against the Knicks. Depending on how his back responds in the morning, Melton could get the green light after shootaround. In 33 games this season, Melton averaged 11.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals.

FEBRUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out against Miami Melton (back) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Heat.

Impact Melton was a partial participant in Tuesday's practice but will miss his 17th straight contest Wednesday due to a lumbar spine stress response. Melton will have extra time to recover ahead of Philadelphia's next contest on Feb. 22 against the Knicks.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Involved in Tuesday's practice Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse said Melton (back) was a partial participant in Tuesday's practice, Ky Carlin of USA Today reports.

Impact Melton's involvement in practice suggests he's closing in on a return from the lumbar spine stress response that has kept him out for the last 16 games, though the fact that he wasn't a full participant means that he'll most likely remain out Wednesday against the Heat in the 76ers' final contest before the All-Star break. Trade-deadline pickup Buddy Hield should once again assume big minutes on the wing if Melton remains out Wednesday.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Sidelined again Monday Melton (back) will not play Monday versus Cleveland.

Impact Melton will miss his 16th consecutive game Monday as he continues recovering from a stress fracture in his lower back. When he ultimately returns to action, he'll join a revamped backcourt featuring Buddy Hield and Kyle Lowry instead of Furkan Korkmaz and Patrick Beverley.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Another absence coming Melton (back) won't play in Saturday's game versus the Wizards.

Impact Melton hasn't played since Jan. 12 due to a back injury but is nearing a return to action. Melton's next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with the Cavaliers.

FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Friday Melton (back) will not play Friday against the Hawks.

Impact Melton is close to getting back to the floor, but the 76ers will hold him out of the first game of their upcoming back-to-back set. It's possible he could get back out there for Saturday's game in Washington, but while he's out, Kelly Oubre should continue to see an uptick in minutes.

FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Wednesday Melton (back) is inactive for Wednesday's game against Golden State.

Impact Melton's absence will extend to 13 games following Wednesday's absence. He appears close to a return, but recent momentum did not preclude him from being ruled out more than 24 hours in advance of Wednesday's game. Kelly Oubre, Patrick Beverley and Jaden Springer are main candidates to continue stepping up.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Will remain out Monday Melton (back) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Mavericks.

Impact Melton said Friday he was hoping to return Monday following a multi-week absence, but he'll miss a 12th straight game and turn his sights on suiting up Wednesday versus Golden State. The shooting guard has logged multiple on-court workouts over the past week and is trending in the right direction, but even when he's cleared, Melton will likely be under heavy restrictions at first.

FEBRUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Still trending in right direction Melton (back) went through an on-court workout during Sunday's practice and continues to progress, Austin Krell of USA Today reports.

Impact Melton, who's been out since mid-January, said Friday he hopes to return for Monday's game against the Mavericks. He's logged multiple on-court workouts over the last week, but he may still have a few hurdles to clear before returning to game action. Melton's status for Monday's game against Dallas should be released Sunday night.

FEBRUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Hopes to return Monday Melton (back) said Friday that he hopes to return for Monday's game against the Mavericks, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Impact Melton hasn't played since mid-January and will miss Saturday's game against the Nets, but he appears to be closing in on a return. However, he's had just two on-court workouts since he last appeared in a game, so it wouldn't be surprising to see his workload monitored if he's cleared to suit up Monday.

FEBRUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out against Utah Melton (back) won't play in Thursday's game versus the Jazz.

Impact Melton hasn't played since Jan. 12 due to a back fracture but is due for a re-evaluation sometime this week. His next chance to suit up is Saturday's matchup with Brooklyn.

FEBRUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Re-evaluated in one week Melton (back) will be re-evaluated in one week, Kyle Neubeck of AllPHLY.com reports.

Impact Melton has missed the past five games for the 76ers and will miss at least four more based on this re-evaluation date. The guard is making good progress with his recovery and will ramp up his activity at practice this week. For now, Melton should be considered questionable to return to action Feb. 1 against Utah.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return Monday Melton (back) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Spurs.

Impact Melton will miss a fifth straight game due to a lumbar spine stress response. Last Monday, coach Nick Nurse said he expects Melton to miss at least a week, so the shooting guard may be closing in on a return, though his recovery remains unclear. Melton's next chance to suit up will come Thursday in Indiana.

JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Likely out at least a week Coach Nick Nurse said Monday that he expects Melton (back) to miss at least a week, Ky Carlin of USA Today reports.

Impact Melton has been dealing with a back issue recently and had already been ruled out for Monday's game against the Rockets. However, the team noticed something slightly off with his current injury and want to keep him out for multiple games to prevent a long-term issue. Kelly Oubre and Jaden Springer could see increased run in his absence.

JANUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Monday Melton has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Rockets due to a lumbar spine stress response.

Impact Melton has dealt with a back injury in recent weeks, but he was able to suit up for Philadelphia's last two matchups. However, he'll be unavailable for the fourth time in the last six games in the first half of a back-to-back set Monday. Whether he'll be available Tuesday against the Nuggets remains to be seen, but Patrick Beverley, Marcus Morris and Paul Reed are candidates to see increased roles Monday.

JANUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Low minutes in return Melton (back) played 21 minutes and finished with 10 points (3-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and two assists in Wednesday's 139-132 overtime win over the Hawks.

Impact Though he took back his spot in the starting five in his return from a three-game absence due to back soreness, Melton had his minutes managed carefully Wednesday despite not fighting foul trouble at any point during the contest. Assuming Melton's limitations Wednesday weren't indicative of a setback and were instead as a precaution, he should receive a workload closer to the 29.2 minutes per game he's averaging for the season when the 76ers return to action Friday versus Sacramento.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE