PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young could miss the start of the playoffs with a sprained ankle.

Young injured his right ankle in the first quarter of Tuesday's 98-85 win over Atlanta. On Wednesday, a team doctor said Young has a sprain and bone bruise that is expected to keep him sidelined for two to three weeks.

With nine games remaining in the regular season, the 76ers are sixth in the Eastern Conference, 3› games ahead of Chicago, which holds the eighth and final playoff spot. The playoffs begin April 18.

Young is averaging 15.2 points and five rebounds per game in his second year as the Sixers have shaken off a bad start and a coaching change to push for the playoffs for the second consecutive year.