Eric Snow's plan was to make his 76ers season debut last night against Atlanta. His second son's debut changed that.

Darius Michael Snow was born to Eric and wife DeShawn Snow at 2:59 p.m. Monday, weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce. The arrival postponed his father's return to the Sixers' lineup until Friday against Milwaukee, a scheduling change that coach Larry Brown did not mind.

"I think it will be helpful for Eric, really, if everything's all right at home," Brown said last night before tip-off. "He's practiced a few times, and he needs a couple of more days."

After recovering from off-season ankle surgery, the point guard suffered a broken left thumb in his first game back, an exhibition in October at San Antonio. He originally was supposed to return in mid-January, but, after extensive rehabilitation, Snow was ready to go last night.

Instead, he stayed in Philadelphia with Darius, his wife, and their other son, Eric Jaron, who is 4.