Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. was hospitalized on Saturday after being struck by a car in Center City, just hours after he helped Philadelphia defeat the Detroit Pistons in a game on Friday night.
Oubre, age 27, signed a one-year deal with the 76ers this offseason. The 6-foot-7 guard is enjoying a breakout season, setting career-highs in shooting (50 percent from the field), steals (1.4 per game) and averaging over 16 points per game.
- Kelly Oubre Jr. stats 2023: 16.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 50% FG
A night after Oubre chipped in 8 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals in a 114-106 victory over the Pistons in Detroit, the former first-round pick was hit by a car in the Center City District of Philadelphia on Saturday.
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According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Oubre suffered undisclosed injuries after being hit by a car while crossing the street at Broad and Locus Streets in Center City around 7 p.m. on Saturday night. He was immediately taken to the nearby Jefferson Hospital.
Fortunately for Oubre and the organization, he was released from the Philadelphia hospital hours later. The Philadelphia Police Department informed The Associated Press that there’s an ongoing investigation into the incident. 6ABC reported from law enforcement sources that a silver vehicle was identified fleeing the scene of the accident.
- Kelly Oubre Jr. contract: $2.891 million salary in 2023-’24, 2024 NBA free agent
Oubre, who reportedly lives near the area, was enjoying the 76ers’ off-night. While the team hasn’t provided specifics on his injury, the 76ers did announce on Saturday night that Oubre would miss significant time recovering from the accident.
Set to face the Indiana Pacers at home on Sunday night, Philadelphia will now be relying more on De’Anthony Melton, Jaden Springer and Furkan Korkmaz to handle more minutes. Fortunately, Oubre is expected to return before the end of the regular season.
