National Basketball Association

Sixers' Andres Nocioni cleared for practice

Published Oct. 9, 2010 10:56 a.m. ET

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Forward Andres Nocioni has been seen often around the 76ers' practice facility, but mostly he's been barefoot and shivering, presumably walking to or from an ice tub.

On Friday at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nocioni was cleared for a full practice, his first with the team. Since training camp opened on Sept. 28, Nocioni had participated only in noncontact drills.

In July, only a few weeks after being traded to the 76ers from the Sacramento Kings, Nocioni sprained his left ankle playing for Argentina's national team.

The Sixers held Nocioni out of the FIBA world championships.

"I feel much better and I'm ready to go," Nocioni said after Friday's practice. "When the doctors say I can play, I'm going to play. I played a whole practice, and with contact and I feel [all] right. I have no pain at all. I feel a little bit tired, a little bit out of shape, but I'm ready to roll."

In six NBA seasons, 41/2 with the Chicago Bulls, Nocioni, 30, has averaged 11.3 points and 4.7 rebounds a game.

On Saturday afternoon in Newark, N.J., the Sixers will play the New Jersey Nets. It will be the second preseason meeting between the two teams. The Nets defeated the Sixers, 103-96, on Tuesday in Roanoke, Va.

Nocioni said he has been told he'll probably play the final three games of the preseason schedule, so it's possible he'll be held out of Saturday's game.

Sixers coach Doug Collins has said he sees Nocioni as an energy guy, likely coming off the bench with aggressive play and long-range shooting.

"My role is going to be the same role on every team I've been on: Bring energy to the game," Nocioni said. "I try to play hard defense and leave everything on the court."

Out. Center Spencer Hawes, who missed the second half of Wednesday's loss to the Boston Celtics with a lower back strain, sat out Friday's practice and will not play on Saturday. Hawes underwent an MRI exam, which confirmed the injury.

Big man Tony Battie, suffering from right knee inflammation, did not practice on Friday and is not expected to play on Saturday.

Waived. The Sixers waived guard James Florence from their training-camp roster. Florence missed much of training camp with a hamstring injury. The move leaves 16 players on the team's roster.

Contact staff writer Kate Fagan at 856-779-3844 or kfagan@phillynews.com.