Sixers forward Robert Covington has undergone successful surgery to repair the extensor tendon in his left middle finger, the team announced today in a press release. While the procedure was completed today, Covington has been dealing with the injury since December 28.
According to the Sixers, Covington will be able to use his left hand immediately, though he’ll wear a splint on the injured finger while he recovers. He’ll be re-evaluated in two or three weeks to assess whether he’s able to resume basketball activities. In other words, he should be back to 100% well before training camp gets underway in September.
Covington, 27, averaged 12.6 PPG and 5.4 RPG with a .413/.369/.853 shooting line in 80 games as Philadelphia’s starting small forward this season. However, he struggled in the postseason, slipping to 8.1 PPG on .325/.313/.750 shooting. He was particularly ineffective against the Celtics, making just 11 of 41 shots (26.8%) in the five-game series.
Having renegotiated his contract with the Sixers in the fall, Covington remains under contract with the franchise through the 2021/22 season. His salary will dip from $16.7MM this season to $10.46MM in 2018/19 before eventually rising back up to $12.98MM by the final year of his extension.