PHILADELPHIA – New Orleans starting center Derrick Favors had previously been listed as questionable to play in Friday’s interconference matchup at the Wells Fargo Center, but he told ESPN.com writer Andrew Lopez after shootaround that he will play against the 76ers. “I think it’s the right time to come back,” Favors told Lopez. “Mentally, I feel like I’m in a good enough space to get back.”
New Orleans (6-19) has missed the impact Favors can make in the paint at both ends of the floor, but particularly defensively, where the Pelicans have struggled all season. Favors has only played in nine total games in 2019-20, with New Orleans winning two of the last three full games he appeared, featuring wins over the Clippers and Charlotte.