Sixers Pay Visit to Kelly Oubre, Injured After Being Hit by Car

Coach Nick Nurse and the 76ers players paid a visit to small forward Kelly Oubre, who suffered broken ribs and other injuries after being hit by a car outside his Philadelphia home.

Oubre is expected to miss significant time as a result, though he is likely to be back at some point this season.

“When he’s communicating with me, he’s always saying how soon he’s going to be back,” Nurse said, via Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I think he’s in a pretty good mindset as far as that goes. There certainly is a mental element, a toughness element, a patience element, getting your confidence back element. All those kinds of things.

“But I think he’s a pretty strong personality. We’ll see how it goes. I think we will have some more information here in a few days.”

According to a police report, Oubre was the victim of a hit-and-run accident. So far, no arrests have been made — though street surveillance may have captured images of the license plate, which undoubtedly would assist in the investigation.

Oubre, 27, is off to a hot start after signing a one-year deal with the 76ers in September –averaging 16.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in the first eight games, shooting 50 percent from the field and 38 percent on 3-pointers. He earned the starting role after P.J. Tucker was sent to the Clippers as part of the James Harden trade.

Oubre spent the past two seasons with the Hornets before entering free agency in the summer. He signed with the Sixers for the veteran’s minimum, reports said.

In 48 games with Charlotte last season, Oubre averaged 20.3 points and shot 43 percent from the field and 32 percent on threes.