PHILADELPHIA — Nic Claxton made his return to the court Friday after missing the past three games. But he acknowledged his back injury is “long-term,” and admitted it’s going to need management over the course of the season.

“Everybody always manages something, but this I’ll probably be managing for a while,” said Claxton, who described the situation as fluctuating.

“Yeah, I mean, it was just the summer. I initially hurt my back in the summer. So, my back has been lingering since then and it’s definitely been frustrating. It’s always a different challenge. Of course, the back is tough because it controls everything you do, pretty much. But it’s just another challenge. So, I’ve just gotta lock in and be ready to hoop.”

Claxton had 12 points and eight rebounds in Friday’s loss at Philadelphia, coming off the bench due to a minutes restriction, according to coach Jordi Fernandez.

The center missed the prior three games due to a lower-back sprain that he suffered in a 139-114 loss against Boston on Nov. 13.