By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel traveled to New Orleans to be with the team for their game on Thursday and while he's not playing against the Pelicans, head coach Brett Brown indicated that the third-year center could return as early as this weekend.
Brown on Noel’s return: “I don’t think far away.” Asked about possibility of Noel playing this weekend, Brown said, “Maybe.”
— Jessica Camerato (@JCameratoCSN) December 8, 2016
Sixers sideline reporter Molly Sullivan caught up with Noel in New Orleans and he told her that his body feels at about 85 percent and a debut Sunday against Detroit has been discussed.
Prior to the teams' current road trip, Brown had said that he wanted Noel to get in some more one-on-one work back at the Sixers practice facility in Camden, helping him get even more into game shape.
“[I want him to] just start playing more and have a ball in his hands, get hit, physical, feel people, play one-on-one,” head coach Brett Brown said.
Noel suffered a groin injury during the Sixers first preseason game. During his recovery, he was also having some knee issues and it was revealed that he had an inflamed plica above his right knee. Noel elected to have a minor surgical procedure and rehabbed in Birmingham, Alabama for a few weeks before returning to the Sixers around Thanksgiving. Noel hasn't changed his stance on the teams' logjam at center, but said that he is focused on controlling what he can.
Last season for the Sixers, Noel averaged 11.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
