"Spencer Hawes had a tremendous start to his season. He was averaging 10.4 points per game and shooting 59 percent from the field. He was grabbing 8.8 rebounds a night and and handing out almost three assists.

The Sixers were 10-2 with Hawes as their starting center.

All that is great, except that Hawes' play is becoming a distant memory. He has missed eight straight games with a strained Achilles' and the streak is likely to continue Wednesday night when the Eastern Conference-leading Bulls come to town.

After the Sixers' practice at PCOM on Tuesday, Hawes was asked when he will know if he is healthy enough to return to game action.

“When I can really run,” he said. “If we could just play in the half court, I could be OK and probably cover it up. But when I have to run and get up on my toes and change directions, those are the things I have to continue to work on and be diligent about.”"