This strategic losing paid off, and now the franchise is faced with a significant decision: keep the pick and build for the future, or use it as a trade asset to reshape the roster for immediate contention.

League Skeptical of Morey’s Plans, Eyes Bold Trade With No. 3 Pick

Despite 76ers executive Daryl Morey publicly stating that the “plan is to keep” the pick, there is widespread skepticism around the league. Reports from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony suggest that rival teams expect Philadelphia to entertain trade offers, leveraging the high value of the No. 3 selection.

Notable names like Kevin Durant and Lauri Markkanen have surfaced as potential trade targets, indicating that the 76ers might be considering a bold move to bring in star talent. Given Morey’s track record of aggressively pursuing elite players, such speculation holds weight.

Daryl Morey is known for his bold strategies in acquiring top-tier talent, as evidenced by last summer’s acquisition of Paul George on a lucrative four-year contract. However, that move has aged poorly—George has struggled with injuries and a decline in performance, significantly contributing to the team’s underwhelming season.

Now, Morey faces the opportunity to possibly reverse that mistake by using the draft pick to secure a more reliable or younger star, both to reinvigorate the team and to escape George’s expensive long-term deal.

Balancing Win-Now Ambitions with Long-Term Planning Amid Uncertain Draft and Costly Trades

Trading the pick for a star like Durant or Markkanen could help the Sixers return to championship contention, but it wouldn’t come without risks. Durant, nearing 37, would likely seek an extension, while Markkanen’s contract runs longer than George’s and is equally expensive.

Though such deals may offer short-term gains, they would maintain the team’s heavy financial commitments. Alternatively, retaining the pick could bring in a young, cost-controlled player who could provide value over the next four years while developing alongside younger core pieces like Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain.

Ultimately, the 76ers find themselves at a crossroads. Using the No. 3 pick could secure a young star on a team-friendly deal, helping balance out the financial strain from aging, injury-prone stars. However, the draft is inherently uncertain—there’s no guarantee a future star will be available at that spot.

Morey’s decision will hinge on whether he believes Joel Embiid can remain healthy enough to anchor a title run. If so, trading the pick could bring in the final piece. If not, the draft may offer the best long-term path forward in building the next core around Maxey and a new young co-star.

The post Sixers Secure No. 3 Pick After Strategic Tank, Face Crucial Choice Between Trade and Rebuild appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Paul George led the way with 30 points, and Tyrese Maxey added 29 points. Kelly Oubre Jr. also had a strong performance, contributing 22 points and playing a key role on both offense and defense.

The Cavaliers, who had the best record at 36-8, had Donovan Mitchell leading their scoring with 37 points.

Ty Jerome also had a career-high 33 points, hitting all eight of his three-point attempts. Both teams shot well from three-point range, combining for 46 three-pointers, which played a big part in the high score.

Even though the 76ers have had a tough season, especially with star center Joel Embiid out for his tenth straight game due to a knee injury, they found a way to win.

Their shooting from three-point range was their key strength, hitting 53.8% of their attempts, which was effective even if it wasn’t sustainable.

The game started with strong energy from the 76ers, who made eight of their first ten three-point attempts and scored 39 points in the first quarter.

Maxey was crucial in the game, not only for his scoring but also for creating chances against Cleveland’s defense.

He helped lead the team in both offense and defense, forcing turnovers and turning them into fast-break points. Although it hasn’t happened much this season, Philadelphia proved it can win against the league’s top teams without Embiid.

While the 76ers shot well, they still faced challenges. Cleveland fought back, with Jerome hitting two three-pointers in a row to briefly put the Cavaliers ahead.

However, the 76ers responded with 13 straight points, with Eric Gordon hitting important threes, putting the 76ers back in control.

On defense, the 76ers still have areas to improve. They struggled at times against Cleveland’s offense, allowing easy layups and having trouble defending the perimeter.

Both teams scored easily, showing how the 76ers’ defense remains a work in progress.

The win brought the 76ers’ record to 16-27, showing they can compete with top teams. “Cleveland showed it can be beaten by a hot-shooting team from the perimeter,” the report said, pointing out the shift in dynamics on the court.

Looking ahead, both teams will quickly get ready for their next games. The Cavaliers will play the Houston Rockets, looking to bounce back from this loss, while the 76ers will head to Chicago to play the Bulls, hoping to build on their confidence.

This win is a big boost for coach Nick Nurse and the team, showing their offensive strength and determination to overcome challenges.

It raises questions about how they will continue this season, but for now, they will enjoy the victory over one of the league’s best teams.

The post 76ers Beat Cavaliers 132-129 in Philadelphia, Snap Losing Streak appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

While the “Big Three” the Sixers had hoped for this season weren’t all together on the court, two of them helped lead the team to a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Sixers beat the Cavs, who have the best record in the NBA, in a 132-129 victory at the Wells Fargo Center.

Paul George scored 30 points, making 6 of 11 three-pointers, and Tyrese Maxey added 29 points with seven assists. With Joel Embiid out due to knee swelling, Kelly Oubre Jr. stepped up with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Guerschon Yabusele also contributed with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

The Cavaliers took a 28-23 lead late in the first quarter, but the Sixers responded with a 16-5 run to end the quarter, helped by three-pointers from Maxey, Eric Gordon, and Justin Edwards.

Cleveland then outscored Philadelphia 34-25 in the second quarter to take a 67-64 lead into halftime. The game stayed close, and the Cavaliers were expected to make a strong push in the second half, but that didn’t happen.

George scored 14 points in the third quarter, and Oubre added nine, helping the Sixers hold a 98-96 lead going into the fourth. Despite Cleveland briefly taking a 116-110 lead, the Sixers rallied with seven straight points, including a three-pointer from Gordon, who was perfect from beyond the arc.

The Sixers stayed in control, extending their lead to eight points with less than two minutes remaining. The Cavaliers made a late push and got within one point at 127-126, but Maxey sealed the win with four free throws. Donovan Mitchell hit another three for Cleveland, but Edwards made a free throw with 1.1 seconds left to secure the victory.

Mitchell finished with 37 points and seven assists, while Ty Jerome added 33 off the bench. Darius Garland also contributed 26 points and seven assists. Cleveland, who dropped to 36-8, was missing Evan Mobley due to a calf strain, and Jarrett Allen struggled with just eight points despite a favorable matchup against Yabusele.

The 76ers improved to 16-27 but still have work to do to make the play-in tournament, sitting in the No. 11 spot in the Eastern Conference.

Both teams will play again on Saturday. Cleveland hosts the Houston Rockets, while Philadelphia visits the Chicago Bulls.

The post 76ers shock NBA-leading Cavaliers with 21 three-pointers in 132-129 win in Philadelphia appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Jalen Brunson Shines in Overtime for Knicks

In the thrilling 125-119 overtime win for the Knicks, Jalen Brunson played a crucial role. Brunson came alive in the overtime period, assisting an OG Anunoby dunk and hitting a three-pointer. He was fouled on another three-point attempt, making all three free throws to seal the victory. The 76ers couldn’t recover from his clutch performance.

The game seemed to be in the Knicks’ control entering the second half, leading 60-47. However, the 76ers rallied in the third quarter, outscoring the Knicks 38-25, and managed to tie the game by the start of the fourth. With just 43 seconds remaining, Tyrese Maxey’s late-game heroics sent the game into overtime, despite the Knicks’ five-point lead.

Knicks’ Bench Provides Major Contribution

The Knicks’ bench had a standout performance, contributing significantly to the win. Precious Achiuwa, Cameron Payne, and Miles McBride combined for 29 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and three steals. Achiuwa played a season-high 30 minutes and had a +9 rating, showing the depth and strength of New York’s bench in the absence of Towns.

Brunson led the Knicks with 38 points, while Josh Hart filled a versatile role with 10 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists. For the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey put up 33 points, six rebounds, and six assists, and Paul George added 26 points and six assists. Despite the strong individual performances, the Knicks held a strong advantage in rebounding and free throws.

The post Jalen Brunson Leads Knicks to Overtime Victory Over 76ers Despite Missing Star Centers appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

76ers Struggle Without Embiid

Despite Tyrese Maxey’s impressive 33-point effort, the 76ers fell short. Paul George added 26 points, and Kelly Oubre Jr. notched a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. However, Philadelphia’s performance was hindered by the absence of Joel Embiid, who missed his sixth consecutive game due to a left foot sprain. The Knicks also missed their All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns, sidelined with a right thumb sprain, leaving both teams relying on depth and perimeter play to fill the void.

The Knicks leveraged their bench to secure the win, with Miles McBride scoring 13 points and Precious Achiuwa adding 10. After struggling with five losses in their last seven games, the Knicks demonstrated their ability to bounce back and execute under pressure. Conversely, the 76ers continued their recent skid, having lost seven of their last nine games, including struggles at home where they dropped four of their last five.

Pivotal Overtime Surge

A decisive 8-0 run by the Knicks in overtime turned the tide in their favor. OG Anunoby’s emphatic dunk sparked the momentum, followed by Jalen Brunson’s clutch 3-pointer and free throws. The 76ers, who had tied the game five times in the second half, failed to capitalize on their chances despite Maxey’s layup forcing overtime. The Knicks’ composure in crunch time proved critical, ensuring they never trailed throughout the contest.

The Knicks will look to maintain their momentum as they host Minnesota on Friday, seeking to climb higher in the standings. The 76ers face another challenging back-to-back, starting Saturday in Indiana, as they aim to rediscover their form and consistency. With their All-Star centers still sidelined, both teams must continue adapting to their respective challenges in the weeks ahead.

The post Knicks Edge 76ers 125-119 in Overtime, Brunson and Hart Lead Comeback Victory appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

They are just 1.5 games behind the 10th-place Chicago Bulls, who currently hold the final play-in spot in the East, but the Sixers are also 4.5 games behind the 9th-place Miami Heat. It’s becoming more likely that they will need to win two road games in the play-in tournament just to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs.

However, the Sixers’ path to even making the play-in tournament is uncertain. They are currently on a four-game losing streak, and 12 of their next 13 opponents have records at or above .500. The only exception is the Bulls, whom they will face later this month on the second night of a back-to-back.

Things have gotten worse for the Sixers as they may have to continue their season without star center Joel Embiid. On Friday, the team announced that Embiid’s surgically repaired left knee had swelled up after a workout, and he will miss at least the next three games. He will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days.

Embiid has only played in 13 games this season due to knee, face, and ankle injuries. The chances of him staying healthy for the rest of the season and leading the Sixers on a deep playoff run now seem slim. This raises questions about the team’s approach to the trade deadline, as there is now less reason to make moves aimed at immediate success.

The Original Plan

If the Sixers had remained healthy and met their preseason expectations as championship contenders, their approach to the trade deadline would have been more straightforward. This past offseason, they signed KJ Martin to a two-year, $16 million contract, which was more than he would have likely received in free agency. However, this wasn’t just a move to add depth. It was done to give the team a contract they could use in trade talks.

Because the Sixers are already over the $178.1 million salary cap “apron,” they aren’t allowed to take back more salary than they send out in any trade. However, since they are below the $188.9 million second apron, they are allowed to combine smaller contracts to match the salary of bigger deals in trades.

In essence, the Sixers signed Martin to provide them with an $8 million contract that could be used for salary matching in trades. This strategy was similar to what the Phoenix Suns did when they signed Josh Okogie to a two-year, $16 million deal and then traded him to the Charlotte Hornets with three second-round picks in exchange for center Nick Richards and a 2025 second-round pick from the Denver Nuggets.

The Sixers’ salary structure is top-heavy, with Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey being the only three players on the roster earning at least $9 million this season. Unless they trade one of these three players, it would be difficult for them to acquire someone making over $20 million. However, if they combined Martin’s contract with Eric Gordon’s $3.3 million, they could more easily target a player making between $10 million and $11 million.

Despite these trade possibilities, the current situation with Embiid’s knee injury significantly reduces the team’s incentive to make a big move at the deadline.

The post Joel Embiid’s knee injury could change the Philadelphia 76ers’ approach to the trade deadline in Philadelphia appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

There was another reason for the excitement that night, especially when MVP chants rang out for Jalen Brunson as he stepped to the foul line late in overtime. He had certainly earned them.

Brunson stepped up when it mattered most, making one clutch play after another to prevent what could have been the Knicks’ sixth loss in their last eight games. Instead, he led his team to a gritty 125-119 overtime win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Brunson was the standout performer, scoring a game-high 38 points on an efficient 14-of-22 shooting. Eight of those points came during overtime, helping the Knicks secure their 27th win of the season.

And just like his days at Villanova, Brunson didn’t do it alone.

Mikal Bridges, also a Villanova alum, added 23 points, hitting five 3-pointers, and shooting 9-of-19 from the field. Meanwhile, Josh Hart notched his fifth triple-double of the season, contributing 10 points, 16 rebounds, 12 assists, and four steals. Hart is now just three triple-doubles shy of Walt “Clyde” Frazier’s single-season franchise record of eight.

The trio of Villanova players helped seal the victory in overtime. With 1:02 left on the clock, Hart stole the ball from Tyrese Maxey, quickly transitioned the ball, and threw a perfect alley-oop to Bridges, giving the Knicks an 11-point lead.

However, that cushion didn’t last long as the game had been tightly contested throughout.

The Knicks got off to a strong start with a 14-5 run and even built a 16-point lead in the second quarter, driven by Bridges’ four 3-pointers in the first quarter. But the Sixers responded fiercely in the third quarter, outscoring New York 38-25, which set the stage for a dramatic fourth period.

With just 18 seconds left in regulation, the Knicks held a four-point lead, but Maxey wasn’t done. He sank two free throws and then raced down the court to hit a game-tying layup with just three seconds remaining. An attempted game-winning shot by OG Anunoby missed, sending the game into overtime.

“It took a little bit of everything,” Hart said. “We’ve been trying to find it these last couple games. We’ve just gotta go out there and compete. I feel like we did that. Go win the game. That’s the biggest thing. We can’t change anything that happened in the past. We’ve got five minutes to go win this thing.”

And win they did.

In overtime, the Knicks were perfect, making all five of their field goal attempts and hitting all five of their free throws. They showed poise and determination as they closed out the game with impressive precision.

This victory was especially important considering they were missing Karl-Anthony Towns, who sat out with a sprained right thumb after the Knicks’ loss to Detroit on Monday. The 76ers were also without a key player, MVP candidate Joel Embiid, who missed the game due to a foot injury.

Maxey led the Sixers with 33 points on 13-of-32 shooting, while Paul George added 26 points on 9-of-20 shooting.

The Knicks also received surprising contributions from their bench, which outscored the Sixers’ reserves for only the fourth time this season. Miles McBride provided 13 points, and Precious Achiuwa added 10, giving New York the depth it has needed.

Looking ahead, the Knicks now focus on their next game on Friday when former teammates Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo return to Madison Square Garden as members of the Minnesota Timberwolves. It will be another important challenge for a team that is fighting to stay in the playoff race.

For now, though, the Knicks can enjoy this hard-earned win, a victory that was powered by Villanova pride and Brunson’s outstanding performance. They’ll need more of both to keep improving and to overcome recent struggles against some of the NBA’s best teams.

The post Jalen Brunson leads the Knicks to a 125-119 overtime win over the Sixers in Philadelphia appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

“I’ve been getting as much feedback as I can. The area is blocked off to go to my house. So, the people who can have been giving me feedback that the house is still standing. There are also apps that you can check to see where the fire is,” George told Andscape after the Sixers’ 104-99 road loss to the Orlando Magic.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection listed three ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, including the Palisades Fire. The fire began on January 7 in the Pacific Palisades area and has destroyed around 5,000 buildings, as reported by ABC News on Monday.

The fire, which is about 20 miles west of downtown Los Angeles, had burned 23,713 acres and was only 13% contained by Monday morning.

George shared that his wife, Daniela, and their three children are now living in the Philadelphia area instead of their Pacific Palisades home. A friend who was staying at their home in Pacific Palisades has followed the recent evacuation order.

“Obviously, it’s a challenging time, but I do appreciate first responders, paramedics, fire fighters, everybody that’s kind of helped lead the charge,” George said. “It’s been messy from what I’ve been reading with no water to fight the fires and winds.

They couldn’t really contain [the fires] because of the winds. So, just know they’re on my heart. Wish there was things that I could do. But they’re on my heart, they’re on my mind. [I] Just pray that there is an ending solution to it all.”

George, originally from Palmdale, California, played for the Los Angeles Clippers from 2019 to 2024. He purchased a home in Pacific Palisades, a wealthy neighborhood in West Los Angeles, in 2019.

This area is known for its expensive homes, beautiful landscapes, boutique shops, restaurants, cafes, top schools, and a close-knit, family-friendly atmosphere.

Pacific Palisades is home to many celebrities, including George, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Lakers head coach J.J. Redick, and Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and former NBA player Kiki Vandeweghe also grew up in the area.

George described the Palisades as a tight-knit community, with places like Palisades Village, where locals gather to enjoy restaurants and ice cream. His family often visits the area for these activities.

George mentioned that it’s sad to see how the community has been affected, especially with people like Russell Westbrook and Draymond Green also being part of this close community. The fire that recently affected the area has caused many to lose their homes, including the houses of Redick and Kerr.

George shared that the fire has been on his mind as he continues to play for the Philadelphia 76ers. He acknowledged that it has been hard to stay focused on games while worrying about friends and family in the area.

His own home is safe for now, but he is concerned about the situation. Many people he knows, including close friends whose kids went to school in the area, have lost their homes, and it’s been a difficult time for everyone.

George, who signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the 76ers last offseason, is having a strong January after a slow start. He is averaging 21.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game. However, the 76ers have had a rough start to 2025 with a 2-5 record in January, after finishing 2024 with four straight wins.

In addition, star center Joel Embiid, the 2024 NBA MVP, has missed games due to a foot injury and has only played two games this month. The 76ers face tough games ahead, including against George’s former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the New York Knicks.

George spoke about adjusting to some physical issues with his body but emphasized that he is finding his rhythm and improving as he plays more games and takes more shots.

The post Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George reflects on the impact of wildfires on his Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles community appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Curry ended the game with 30 points and 10 assists, becoming the first player in NBA history to make at least 8-of-8 3-pointers and have double-digit assists in the same game. The NBA record for most perfect 3-pointers in a game is 9, shared by Latrell Sprewell, Ben Gordon (twice), and Jalen Brunson.

Jonathan Kuminga contributed 20 points off the bench, while Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, and Dennis Schroder each scored 15 for the Warriors, who took advantage of a tired Philadelphia team playing the second game of a back-to-back road stretch.

Joel Embiid, who sat out Philadelphia’s loss to Sacramento the previous night, returned to lead the 76ers with 28 points and 14 rebounds.

Thunder 116, Clippers 98

The Oklahoma City Thunder earned their 13th straight victory, beating the Los Angeles Clippers at home. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points, and Jalen Williams added 18, helping Oklahoma City move one win away from tying the franchise’s longest-ever win streak, which was 14 games set by the 1995-96 Seattle SuperSonics.

Norman Powell, the Clippers’ top scorer this season, had a tough game, missing his first 10 shots and finishing with just six points on 1-of-11 shooting. Amir Coffey led the Clippers with a season-high 26 points.

Lakers 114, Trail Blazers 106

LeBron James scored 38 points and provided eight assists as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Portland Trail Blazers despite missing Anthony Davis. Max Christie added a career-best 28 points, and Austin Reaves recorded 15 points and 11 assists. The Lakers won for the sixth time in their last eight games. Davis missed the game due to a left ankle sprain.

Portland’s Anfernee Simons scored 23 points, and Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija each had 19. The Trail Blazers lost their 10th game in the last 13 and their eighth straight on the road.

Pacers 128, Heat 115

Tyrese Haliburton scored 33 points and dished out a season-high 15 assists without committing a turnover, leading the Indiana Pacers to a solid win over the Miami Heat. Haliburton had a great first quarter with 16 points and five assists.

In three games against Miami this season, he has 36 assists and just one turnover. Myles Turner added 21 points, and Pascal Siakam finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

For the Heat, rookie Kel’el Ware scored a career-high 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting and also blocked three shots. Bam Adebayo contributed 20 points and eight rebounds.

Celtics 118, Timberwolves 115

Jayson Tatum scored 33 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and had nine assists, helping the Boston Celtics hold off the Minnesota Timberwolves for a close win in Minneapolis. Derrick White added 26 points, and the Celtics won their second game in a row, despite missing Jaylen Brown (right shoulder strain) and Kristaps Porzingis (sprained left ankle).

Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 27 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Naz Reid scored 20 points off the bench, and Jaden McDaniels added 19 points.

Nets 113, Bucks 110

Cameron Johnson scored 26 points, and Cam Thomas added 24 as the Brooklyn Nets held off a late comeback from the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Nets were up 111-90 with 6:55 left, but missed their next 12 shots, allowing the Bucks to go on a 20-0 run. Damian Lillard scored five straight points, but missed a 3-pointer with Milwaukee down by three points in the final seconds. Lillard’s 35-foot shot at the buzzer also fell short.

Nic Claxton had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Brooklyn, which won the season series 3-1 against the Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists. Lillard finished with 23 points and seven assists.

The post NBA Recap: Stephen Curry’s perfect 8-for-8 shooting from beyond the arc lifts Warriors in San Francisco appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Curry finished with 30 points and 10 assists, becoming the first player in NBA history to hit at least 8-for-8 from 3-point range and also record double-digit assists in the same game.

After struggling with his 3-point shooting in his previous two games (making only 7 of 24), Curry matched his career-high for 3-pointers made without a miss, hitting 6-for-6 through three quarters before adding two more early in the final period.

Curry had previously made six 3-pointers in a game twice, including a game against the Los Angeles Lakers last April. The NBA record for most consecutive 3-pointers without a miss is 9-for-9, set by former Warriors player Latrell Sprewell in 2003.

This record has been tied three times—by Ben Gordon in 2006 and 2012, and by Jalen Brunson in 2023.

Jonathan Kuminga contributed 20 points off the bench, and Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, and Dennis Schroder each had 15 points. The Warriors took advantage of the 76ers playing the second night of a back-to-back and jumped out to an early lead, never looking back.

Moses Moody shot 4-for-5 from 3-point range, and Schroder made 3 of 4, helping the Warriors hit 22 of 39 3-point attempts (56.4%).

Joel Embiid returned after sitting out a loss to Sacramento the night before and led the 76ers with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Despite this, the 76ers struggled to keep up with the Warriors, who outscored them 13-4 in the opening minutes with Curry and Schroder hitting key 3-pointers.

Golden State led by as many as 18 points by the end of the first quarter and comfortably maintained their advantage through the final three periods, securing their fifth win in the last 18 games.

Moody added 12 points, and Lindy Waters III contributed 10 points for the Warriors. Green also had six rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks.

For the 76ers, Paul George supported Embiid with 19 points, while Tyrese Maxey had 14 points, six assists, four steals, and two blocks. Guerschon Yabusele scored 13 points, and Ricky Council IV added 12.

The post Stephen Curry hits perfect 3-pointers as Warriors dominate 76ers in San Francisco appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Monk scored a go-ahead basket on a goaltended layup with 33.8 seconds left, then stole the ball from Paul George seven seconds later. He teamed up with DeMar DeRozan to make four free throws that sealed the win.

Sacramento scored the last 15 points of the game to secure their second straight victory.

The 76ers, playing the first game of a back-to-back, decided to sit Joel Embiid, who had been averaging 26.3 points during a four-game win streak. Embiid’s absence allowed George, who scored 30 points, and Tyrese Maxey, who added 27 points, to lead the team.

Despite this, the 76ers led for most of the second half after tying the game 57-all at halftime. They were up by 10 points in the final period and held a 107-98 lead with 3:34 left before Sacramento made its comeback.

De’Aaron Fox started the rally with a floater, followed by two free throws from Monk and a 3-pointer from Keon Ellis. A basket by DeRozan tied the game at 107 with one minute remaining.

Maxey missed a short jumper that could have given the 76ers the lead again. This set the stage for Monk to score and give the Kings their first lead since the start of the third quarter.

Monk’s steal from George came during a scoreless finish for the 76ers, who committed five turnovers and had just four shot attempts in the final minutes.

Fox led Sacramento with 35 points, hitting 13 of his 16 shots. Domantas Sabonis grabbed a game-high 21 rebounds and added 17 points along with seven assists. Monk finished with 20 points, DeRozan had 18, and Trey Lyles contributed 12 points for the Kings, who are now 2-1 under interim coach Doug Christie.

For the 76ers, Eric Gordon had 14 points, Caleb Martin scored 12, and Andre Drummond posted 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Maxey also had six assists and four steals in the loss, as Philadelphia fell to 7-13 in games without Embiid.

The post Kings close game with 15-0 run to defeat 76ers appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

The game features two coaches with strong ties to the Toronto Raptors: the 76ers’ Nick Nurse, who spent 10 years with the team, including five as head coach, and Kings interim coach Doug Christie, who was part of the Raptors’ 2000 playoff team and played over four seasons in Toronto.

In his second year coaching the 76ers, Nurse has turned the team around. After a rough 3-14 start, they’ve won 10 of their last 13 games. They are currently on a four-game winning streak, including three straight road wins to start a four-game Western road trip.

Tyrese Maxey (30.0 points per game) and Joel Embiid (26.3) have been the stars during this stretch, though Embiid (sprained left foot) will not play on Wednesday. Paul George has been a solid contributor, averaging 31.3 minutes per game.

However, the biggest positive for the team has been the play of Caleb Martin. Martin’s return to full health has been a key factor in the 76ers’ improvement.

“I had a sigh of relief for him,” George said after Martin hit a career-high seven 3-pointers in a Christmas Day win over the Boston Celtics. “Just to watch him battle and work and just put countless hours on getting his body together. He’s a warrior.

It was eating away at him that he couldn’t be himself and he couldn’t be available for us. Again, he’s a warrior, so he’s ready when he’s called upon.”

Martin has averaged 11.8 points during the winning streak, shooting 56.7% from the field and 12-for-18 from beyond the arc. He’s also contributed with 15 rebounds, four steals, and four blocks in the last four games. He posted a team-best plus-27 plus/minus in 38 minutes during Monday’s 125-103 win over Portland.

Meanwhile, the Kings are coming off a much-needed victory. They snapped a six-game losing streak with a 110-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks, giving Doug Christie his first home win as interim coach. Christie took over as interim coach after the Kings fired Mike Brown following their fifth straight loss, a 114-113 defeat to the Detroit Pistons.

Despite only making slight adjustments to the game plan, the Kings responded well to Christie’s leadership. Domantas Sabonis, who had a triple-double in the win, credited the change in emotion and voice as key to the team’s improved performance.

“We’ve spent three summers now with him,” Sabonis said of Christie. “He works his butt off, and just to see him installing what he believes in the guys, and the guys reacting that quickly to it, is awesome.”

The Kings are hoping to build on their win against the Mavericks, but their recent history with the 76ers isn’t great. The Kings ended a 10-game losing streak to the 76ers last March. The Kings hadn’t beaten Philadelphia since February 2019. In the last meeting in Sacramento, Sabonis had a triple-double, and Embiid did not play in the Kings’ 108-96 win.

The Kings may be without starting forward Keegan Murray (11.6 points, 7.4 rebounds per game), who is listed as doubtful for the game due to left ankle soreness.

The post 76ers look to continue strong play in New Year’s matchup with Kings appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Philadelphia has had a few days of rest since earning a solid 118-114 victory over the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day. That win was their eighth in the last 11 games, bringing back optimism for the season.

“We got a high ceiling,” said 76ers star Joel Embiid after scoring 27 points and grabbing nine rebounds against the Celtics. “It’s all about us putting it together. I don’t think that was close to our best basketball, but we got a pretty good chance. So it’s all about looking for some luck, and staying healthy.”

After a tough 3-14 start, the Sixers have been on a roll, winning two in a row and four of their last five games.

The game against the Celtics was only the sixth time this season that Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey were all available to play together. Since they’re just 1 1/2 games out of play-in contention as of Friday, they’re confident in their chances if they can keep their key players healthy.

Maxey had 33 points and 12 assists against Boston, and Caleb Martin added seven 3-pointers and 23 points.

Maxey said the 76ers are “a lot different” from a month ago when they were near the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

“But I said it back then, just give us some time. It was difficult because guys were in and out and we finally thought that we were going to have everybody playing. I got hurt. That sucks. You know what I mean?” Maxey said.

“I had a little rhythm going a little bit and then I get hurt and then we got to restart, figure it all out. I come back, Joel gets hurt. We got to figure it all out again.

“I think the biggest thing that we’ve really done is we’ve come together a lot more,” Maxey added. “I feel like we had a lot of new guys. I don’t know how many new people we have, like seven or something like that, and it’s difficult. You don’t know how you want to play. You don’t know what combinations go with each other. I think we’re finally figuring that out.”

The Jazz have only won three of their last 13 games, the same stretch in which Philadelphia has turned things around, but they see progress in their rebuilding efforts.

After winning back-to-back games for the first time this season, they ended a five-game road trip with tough losses to Cleveland and Portland. They were competitive in both games. Utah was tied with Portland late in Thursday’s game after Lauri Markkanen hit a late 3-pointer, but Portland’s Scoot Henderson made a game-winning shot with just a tenth of a second left.

Jazz coach Will Hardy had positive words about Markkanen, who scored 25 points against Portland, and the contributions from the team’s three rookies: Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier, and Kyle Filipowski.

“The most important thing for me is building those foundational habits of competitiveness every night,” Hardy said. “I’m happy with all their progress.”

The post With a clean bill of health, 76ers hopeful ahead of Jazz matchup appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

The Celtics are coming off two losses, falling to the Orlando Magic 108-104 and the Philadelphia 76ers 118-114. The loss to the 76ers also dropped Boston’s home record to 11-5, which is already more home losses than they had all of last season when they finished with a 37-4 record at TD Garden.

“We’re playing inconsistent basketball, so we’ve got to be better at both ends of the floor,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla. “Got to be more consistent at both ends of the floor.”

The loss on Christmas Day to the 76ers was Boston’s second straight defeat, the first time they’ve lost back-to-back games this season. They have a 3-4 record over their last seven games.

“I think that’s a fair criticism from (Mazzulla),” said Al Horford regarding the coach’s comments on inconsistency. “We have to really dive into our work a little more and understand that we can’t relax during periods of the game, no matter the circumstance.

We have to make sure that we’re a little better in that regard, and with this group, I know that we’re capable of getting it together. Now, we have to look at this opportunity to play Indiana and come out with better effort and intensity.”

Injuries are still a concern for the Celtics. They were without Jrue Holiday (shoulder) in the loss to the 76ers, and Kristaps Porzingis suffered an ankle injury in the first half. Both players are listed as questionable for Friday’s game.

“We’ve got to be better,” said Jayson Tatum. “It’s still a long season. Nobody’s panicking. We’ve got to handle the emotional roller coaster of the NBA season. It feels a lot worse than it actually is. We’re not panicking or anything. We’ve just got to man up and look in the mirror and figure out some things that we’ve got to do better.”

Indiana will look to beat Boston for the second time this season. On October 30, the Pacers won 135-132 in overtime after Pascal Siakam hit a three-pointer with 6.1 seconds left to break a tie.

Unlike Boston, Indiana has been playing strong basketball recently, but their five-game winning streak ended with a 120-114 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.

The Pacers may be without Obi Toppin for Friday’s game. He sprained his left ankle in the first quarter against the Thunder and was helped off the court. He returned briefly but didn’t play in the second half.

Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said, “It didn’t seem like it was that bad initially, then he felt it when he went back out. I certainly assume he’ll miss (the game against Boston) and we’ll see. He’s been a guy who’s bounced back quickly.”

The Celtics and Pacers will meet again on Sunday in Boston.

The post Celtics aim for consistency as they face the rising Pacers appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Joel Embiid contributed 27 points and 9 rebounds, while Caleb Martin added 23 points, hitting 7 out of 9 from three-point range.

The Celtics, who were down by 15 points in the fourth quarter, narrowed the gap to 116-114 with just 4.9 seconds remaining. However, Embiid made two free throws, putting the 76ers up by four with 2.8 seconds left. Philadelphia has now won six of its last eight games.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 32 points and 15 rebounds. Jaylen Brown added 23 points and 7 rebounds but struggled with his shooting, making only 10 of 23 attempts. Payton Pritchard missed all of his eight three-point attempts.

Boston had just lost 108-104 to the Orlando Magic on Monday, and this marked their second consecutive loss of the season.

Jrue Holiday was out for Boston due to a right shoulder injury, and the Celtics played much of the game without Kristaps Porzingis, who injured his left ankle and didn’t return for the second half.

The 76ers were also missing Andre Drummond, who had his first game off since December 4 due to a sprained left toe. Drummond leads the team in rebounding with an average of 8.0 boards per game.

Philadelphia led 30-25 after the first quarter and extended its lead to 52-36 after a 17-2 run capped by a Paul George dunk with 5:22 remaining in the first half. They finished the half with a 66-58 advantage, even though Boston made 13 out of 28 three-pointers in the first two quarters.

The Celtics tied the game 74-74 with a Brown three-pointer and took a 78-76 lead with a Tatum jumper at 4:03 in the third quarter. Boston led by as much as four points in the quarter, but the game was tied 82-82 heading into the fourth.

Philadelphia started the final quarter with a 12-2 run and went ahead 94-84 after a Maxey jump shot with 8:50 remaining. The 76ers extended their lead to 103-88 after a Martin three-pointer with 6:37 left.

The post 76ers ruin Celtics’ Christmas with a 118-114 victory appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Embiid tripped over a barrier meant to keep fans away from the players during pregame warmups, causing him to fall and twist his right ankle. He took some time to get back on the court before the game started, but he played 31 minutes, scoring 27 points and grabbing nine rebounds in the 76ers’ 118-114 win over the defending NBA champions.

“It was a little sore, but it was Christmas,” Embiid said after icing both of his ankles in tubs in the locker room. “I’ve got to play on Christmas.”

Embiid was shooting near the sideline about 45 minutes before the game began when he backed into the security barrier and fell to the floor. He grabbed his right ankle and stayed on the court for a moment before walking off to the locker room.

When the 76ers returned to the court for a quick shooting session before the game, Embiid was a bit late to join them. He came out, warmed up like usual, and then took the opening tip against Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis.

Embiid had 18 points and six rebounds in the first half. He finished the game shooting 4 of 5 from three-point range. In the final minutes, he made four free throws to seal the win, including two after he limped from a drive to the basket with 2:09 left, and the 76ers were up by three.

“It was the other (ankle),” Embiid said with a shrug. “My luck.”

A two-time NBA scoring champion, Embiid is averaging 21.3 points and seven rebounds per game this season, which is below his career averages. He has missed all but nine games due to left knee soreness, a sinus fracture, and a three-game suspension for an incident with a reporter in the locker room.

“You can’t feel bad about yourself,” he said. “Life is life; it happens. You do whatever is necessary to get better and get back on the floor. But it is tough. But, you know, what can you do? Some of them are unfortunate so you’ve just got to deal with it and you know take it in and get better.”

Embiid wore a mask while playing in just his third game since the sinus fracture. He was ejected from his previous game, on Monday against San Antonio, after getting his second technical foul in the second quarter for arguing with referee Jenna Schroeder.

The post 76ers star Joel Embiid stumbles during warmups but stays in the starting lineup against the Celtics appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

The bizarre sequence also saw teammate Andre Drummond initially ejected, only to have his ejection later rescinded.

The incident involving Embiid unfolded with 2:59 remaining in the first half. Driving to the basket in transition, Embiid collided with San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, knocking the 20-year-old rookie to the floor.

Embiid was called for a charging foul, prompting an immediate and heated protest from the 76ers center. Referee Jenna Schroeder assessed a technical foul as Embiid made his way toward the Philadelphia bench.

Moments later, Embiid turned back toward the officials in a fit of frustration and was restrained by teammate Kyle Lowry, coach Nick Nurse, and other staff members. Schroeder then issued a second technical foul, resulting in Embiid’s ejection—just the second of his career.

Following the game, crew chief Curtis Blair told a pool reporter that there was “incidental contact” between Embiid and Schroeder during the exchange but noted it did not warrant further action. Blair clarified that Embiid’s ejection stemmed from two unsportsmanlike technical fouls.

“I never got an explanation,” Nurse said. “I was trying to ask the officials, but I didn’t get a chance to speak to the one who called it. I just assume it was for arguing.”

Embiid, who was playing his second game since returning from a sinus fracture, finished with nine points and three rebounds in 14 minutes, shooting 2-for-8 from the field. He entered the game averaging 22.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.

Adding to the mayhem, Schroeder ejected Drummond earlier in the second quarter after back-to-back incidents with Wembanyama under the basket. Drummond was assessed a second technical foul after appearing to push Wembanyama to the floor twice in quick succession.

However, upon video review, the officials reversed Drummond’s ejection, determining that he had inadvertently stepped on Wembanyama’s foot. Wembanyama was instead given a technical foul for flopping, though even that call was later rescinded, and the game was reset.

“The whole sequence was really strange,” Nurse remarked. Drummond, who had already left for the locker room, was seen putting his jersey back on and re-entering the court after the officials overturned his ejection.

Wembanyama later explained, “He just stepped on my foot, and I fell. I didn’t expect a foul to be called.”

Spurs interim coach Mitch Johnson, filling in for Gregg Popovich as he recovers from a stroke, shared a similar view. “I don’t think it was a foul, and I don’t think it was a flop,” he said. “That’s how I saw it.”

The tumultuous first half set the stage for an intense second half, during which Philadelphia fans booed Wembanyama every time he touched the ball.

The rookie finished with an impressive stat line—26 points, nine rebounds, and eight blocks—but it was Tyrese Maxey who led the 76ers to victory. Maxey scored 32 points and delivered two critical plays in the final minute to secure the win.

Embiid, who was playing in just his eighth game of the season, returned to the court after the final buzzer, smiling and celebrating with his teammates.

However, he did not address the media following the game. According to a team official, Embiid left the arena while reporters were in the locker room for postgame interviews.

The post 76ers End Up Winning Against Spurs Despite A Chaotic Start Following Joel Embiid’s Ejection appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Embiid received a loud ovation as he was introduced and wore a protective “Phantom of the Opera” mask in his return.

Embiid has faced many injuries this season and had only played in six games, mainly due to knee soreness. This is a big reason why the 76ers are struggling and not seen as a serious contender in the Eastern Conference.

Coach Nick Nurse shared before the game that Embiid’s condition was “positive” going into his pregame workout. Nurse also mentioned there are several factors in deciding whether Embiid, a two-time NBA scoring champion who has been injured often, will play.

“I just think it’s probably everything,” Nurse said. “How’s he feeling, how’s the conditioning working out? How’s his body feeling? Just everything. How’s he breathing? How’s he moving? All that stuff.”

The well-known Big Three of Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George started a game together for only the fourth time this season. Embiid had worn a similar “Phantom” mask in the past.

In 2018, Embiid fractured his left orbital bone and suffered a concussion after colliding with teammate Markelle Fultz. This injury caused him to miss the final eight games of the regular season and the first two games of the 2018 NBA Playoffs.

In April 2022, Embiid was elbowed by Pascal Siakam in Philadelphia’s Game 6 win, which caused a fracture in his right orbital. This injury forced him to miss the first two games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Embiid’s recent facial fracture occurred last Friday against Indiana when he clashed with Bennedict Mathurin. He was hit in the nose with an errant forearm and elbow, causing him to fall to the floor and stay down near the 76ers’ bench, holding his face.

Embiid has also been dealing with swelling in his left knee and served a three-game suspension after an incident with a reporter.

The 30-year-old Embiid played only 39 games last season, mostly due to knee surgery after tearing the meniscus in his left knee on January 30 against Golden State.

Embiid, who helped the U.S. win gold in the Paris Olympics, signed a $193 million contract before training camp and skipped the entire preseason.

The post Joel Embiid makes his comeback from a sinus fracture to play against Charlotte appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

The game lost some of its excitement due to the return of Charlotte point guard LaMelo Ball, who scored 15 points and had 11 assists in his comeback from a calf injury that had kept him out since November 27.

The 76ers made 16 of 38 3-pointers in their first game without center Joel Embiid (sinus fracture) and rookie guard Jared McCain (torn meniscus) who were both injured on Friday.

The Hornets lost for the 10th time in 11 games, despite Miles Bridges scoring 24 points.

Bulls 122, Raptors 121

Nikola Vucevic scored 24 points as the Chicago Bulls, who had a 16-point lead cut to just one, managed to defeat the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors scored a 3-pointer at the last second, but it wasn’t enough.

Coby White added 19 points for the Bulls, who have won two games in a row. Josh Giddey contributed 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists before leaving with an ankle injury in the third quarter.

RJ Barrett scored 32 points, and Gradey Dick had 27 points for the Raptors, who have now lost five games in a row. Toronto’s Jakob Poeltl left the game with a groin injury in the fourth quarter.

Pistons 125, Heat 124 (OT)

Malik Beasley had a season-high 28 points, and Cade Cunningham posted a triple-double as Detroit beat Miami in overtime.

Cunningham finished with 20 points, 18 assists, and 11 rebounds for Detroit, who nearly lost after squandering a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Ausar Thompson added 19 points, and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 16, hitting three straight 3-pointers in overtime to erase an 8-point Miami lead.

Jimmy Butler recorded 35 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists for the Heat, who saw their four-game winning streak end. Tyler Herro scored 23 points.

Cavaliers 130, Nets 101

Evan Mobley scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half, and Caris LeVert scored all 19 of his points in the first half, helping Cleveland take control early and beat Brooklyn easily in New York.

Cleveland led by as many as 37 points, improving to a 23-4 record, the best start in team history. They are 8-4 since winning their first 15 games.

Cameron Johnson led the Nets with 22 points, and Day’Ron Sharpe added 15 points. Brooklyn committed a season-high 22 turnovers, which led to 34 points for Cleveland.

The post NBA recap: Tyrese Maxey scores 40 points to lead the Sixers past the Hornets appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Kelly Oubre Jr., a former Hornet, scored nine of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and grabbed nine rebounds, helping the 76ers win for the fifth time in their last seven games. Andre Drummond added nine points and 15 rebounds.

The game took some of the excitement away from the return of Charlotte point guard LaMelo Ball, who finished with 15 points and 11 assists. The Hornets lost for the 10th time in their last 11 games, despite strong performances from Miles Bridges with 24 points, Nick Richards with 19 points, and Brandon Miller with 12 points. Cody Martin and Josh Green both scored 10 points.

Maxey made six 3-pointers in the first three quarters, and George made five. Together, they scored 27 of Philadelphia’s 31 points in the first quarter.

This helped the 76ers manage their first game without center Joel Embiid (who is out due to a sinus fracture) and rookie guard Jared McCain (who is out with a torn knee ligament). Both players were injured on Friday.

Charlotte, trailing by 21 points in the third quarter, tried to make a comeback but couldn’t get closer than four points with just under seven minutes remaining. Philadelphia then responded with a 9-0 run, finished off by a basket from Maxey.

Ball hadn’t played since November 27 due to a calf injury and didn’t come close to his usual 31.1 points per game. He played 26 minutes, shooting 5-for-15 from the floor and making 3 of 8 from 3-point range.

The 76ers were up 93-72 with two minutes left in the third quarter, but soon found themselves in a closer game.

After allowing 41 points in the third quarter, the Hornets came alive. They scored the first 10 points of the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 95-89, with Green contributing eight of those points.

The 76ers have won their last four road games, while the Hornets have lost their last seven home games.

The post 76ers’ strong three-point shooting spoils LaMelo Ball’s return for the Hornets appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Embiid got hurt in the first half of Friday night’s 121-107 loss to the Indiana Pacers when he was hit in the face by Bennedict Mathurin while trying to grab a defensive rebound.

The 76ers announced that Embiid will be rechecked in a week. Embiid will not play on Monday night against the Charlotte Hornets.

“The only thing that I can compare it to, but I wasn’t here, but he certainly had those other ones that were a lot worse,” Nurse said before the Hornets game. “It’s not nearly as severe as those two from what they tell me. So I guess that’s good because those were pretty tough — those two — and they say it’s not as bad as that.”

In 2018, Embiid fractured his left orbital bone and had a concussion after colliding with teammate Markelle Fultz. This injury kept him out for the last eight games of the regular season and the first two games of the 2018 NBA Playoffs.

In April 2022, Embiid was elbowed by Pascal Siakam during Philadelphia’s series-clinching Game 6 win. This caused a fracture in his right orbital bone, forcing him to miss the first two games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Embiid has only played six games this season due to knee soreness, averaging just 20.3 points per game for the 76ers (7-16), which is below his career average.

“Listen, it’s hard enough for him to get himself ready to go,” Nurse added. “The knee after the surgery and all that stuff is enough to focus on. This isn’t going to help his ability to condition. He’s going to have to recover from some of this stuff — the breathing isn’t going to be easy for a little bit, so obviously it makes it really difficult.

He’s just going to have to deal with it. Hopefully, he’s getting all of these little things out of the way so he can focus on his recovery of the knee and get back out there for a stretch of games.”

The post Nick Nurse stated that Joel Embiid’s sinus fracture is “not nearly as severe” as the two facial fractures appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

McCain, who has been a bright spot for the struggling Sixers early in the season, felt pain in his left knee after the team’s 121-107 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.

The team said that an MRI on Saturday revealed a lateral meniscus tear in McCain’s left knee, which will require surgery.

McCain, who was selected 16th overall in the draft out of Duke, is currently the top scorer among rookies this season, averaging 15.3 points through the first 23 games. He is also averaging 2.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. In the game against the Pacers, McCain scored five points and had three assists in 29 minutes of play.

On the same night against Indiana, Sixers center Joel Embiid suffered a sinus fracture while going for a rebound late in the first half. Embiid, who had 12 points, four rebounds, and five assists in 17 and a half minutes, will be evaluated further over the weekend.

This was only Embiid’s sixth game out of the 23 games played so far. He has been dealing with swelling in his left knee and also missed three games due to a suspension for physical contact with a reporter.

Injuries to the Sixers’ star players Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George—who were expected to form the team’s “Big Three” after George’s arrival in the offseason—have caused the trio to play together for only parts of three games. Because of this, the Sixers have had a rough start to the season, with a 7-16 record.

Despite these challenges, McCain has been one of the few positive performers for the team. He scored a career-high 34 points in a loss to Cleveland in mid-November and has scored 20 or more points in eight games this season.

The post Sixers’ standout rookie, Jared McCain, will be sidelined for an unknown period due to a torn meniscus that necessitates surgery appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Pascal Siakam contributed 23 points and eight rebounds for Indiana, and Obi Toppin added 20 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Haliburton hit 7 of 15 three-point attempts and also had 11 assists.

Joel Embiid, the star for the 76ers, who has missed a lot of time this season due to injuries and suspension, left the game late in the second quarter after taking an accidental hit to the face. He finished with 12 points and five assists in 17 minutes.

Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 22 points, and Kelly Oubre Jr. had 12 points and 13 rebounds.

The Sixers started strong, jumping to a 9-2 lead, but that was the last time they had the advantage. Indiana responded with 14 straight points to take control of the game.

Siakam hit a three-pointer during the run, and Haliburton followed with two more from beyond the arc. Soon after, Andrew Nembhard scored with a reverse layup, giving the Pacers a 16-9 lead.

Siakam’s three-point play in the final seconds of the first quarter gave Indiana a 31-22 lead.

In the second quarter, Toppin’s two free throws pushed the lead into double digits for the first time. Philadelphia briefly cut the deficit to 43-40, but the Pacers answered with 13 points out of the next 16 to take back control.

At halftime, Indiana led 61-50.

In the third quarter, the Pacers extended their lead to as much as 18 before the 76ers pulled within 90-83 heading into the fourth.

With less than 10 minutes left in the game, the Sixers trailed 93-88, but Toppin hit a three-pointer and then made two free throws soon after.

Philadelphia remained within reach, with Paul George hitting two free throws to make it 105-98 with 4:31 left. However, Siakam quickly responded with a three-pointer to restore a 10-point lead, sparking a 12-0 run that sealed the win for Indiana.

The post Tyrese Haliburton shines as the Pacers easily defeat the 76ers appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Embiid was battling Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin when he took an errant forearm and elbow to the nose. Embiid fell to the ground as the play continued, and stayed down near the Philadelphia bench, holding his face.

Embiid left the arena for evaluation, and the 76ers later announced that he had a sinus fracture. The team said he would be evaluated again over the weekend.

Embiid scored 12 points, grabbed four rebounds, and had five assists in 17 and a half minutes during Philadelphia’s 121-107 loss to the Pacers.

This was only Embiid’s sixth game out of the 23 games the 76ers have played so far this season. He has been dealing with swelling in his left knee and also served a three-game suspension for an incident with a reporter.

Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George—who were expected to form Philadelphia’s “Big Three” after George joined the team in the offseason—have played only three games together. The Sixers’ record for the season is 7-16.

“You just have to move on and practice when we practice again and have a next man up mentality,” said Maxey, who led Philadelphia with 22 points. “What sucks about this is that we were moving in the right direction. Guys were figuring out roles, what coach wants from them, and playing the right way.

We know how to play with Joel – and now, we may have to revert our minds back to playing without him. That’s OK. It’s different. That’s how life is.”

Embiid has had several face injuries in the past, including a fractured orbital bone from a collision with Toronto’s Pascal Siakam during the 2022 playoffs and another injury in 2018 when he collided with teammate Markelle Fultz. Last year, Embiid had Bell’s Palsy during a first-round playoff loss to New York.

After Sunday’s victory in Chicago, Embiid told ESPN that the issues with his left knee this season were “depressing” because the swelling wasn’t caused by an injury. That was the 76ers’ last game before Friday’s loss.

“He’s been in a really good place all week and he practiced all week,” coach Nick Nurse said when asked about Embiid’s state of mind. “We did a lot of stuff to get up to speed with him. But I can imagine that he can feel like the black cloud is over him a little bit. He just keeps running into something, really, unfortunately.”

The post Joel Embiid suffers a sinus fracture while battling for a rebound and is ruled out for the second half of the 76ers’ defeat to the Pacers appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

The improving Sixers are hoping for another strong performance on Friday when they play the struggling Indiana Pacers at home.

This season, all three of Philadelphia’s stars — Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey — have missed a lot of games because of injuries. Because of that, the Sixers have had a hard time staying competitive in the Eastern Conference. They lost 14 of their first 17 games but have bounced back by winning four of their last five games as the team’s health has gotten better.

“I think there’s some quick growth we can make there,” said coach Nick Nurse about his healthier team. “Just because they’ve played together, finally. They’ve played together and now we can start tweaking it a little bit.”

The Sixers’ most recent win was a 108-100 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. Embiid scored 31 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, George added 12 points and seven rebounds, and Maxey recorded a triple-double with 25 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds.

What may be even more important than their strong performance is that the Sixers have had five days off. This rest is especially helpful for Embiid, who came back from a seven-game absence on Sunday, George, who is recovering from knee issues, and Maxey, who is still working his way back from a hamstring injury.

“(The time off) was great,” said KJ Martin, who has become an important part of the team’s rotation. “I know everybody probably has different things going on with their bodies, so to just have a couple days to get treatment, go in the cold tub, do whatever you need to do just to try to get somewhere close to 100 percent, it’ll definitely help us in the future.”

The Pacers have also struggled this season, partly because of injuries, so they were happy to have some time off to recover and get more in sync on the court.

Like the Sixers, Indiana has not played since Sunday, when they lost 113-109 to the Charlotte Hornets at home. The break gave the Pacers time to refocus on the basics.

“Obviously in the NBA season you don’t get a ton of practice time,” said star point guard Tyrese Haliburton. “So we tried to use this time right. Get back to fundamental things. … It’s definitely good to get here as a group and go over some things.”

T.J. McConnell had a career-high 30 points for Indiana, but the Pacers lost five of their last six games. Their struggles were caused by turnovers (17), poor rebounding (they were out-rebounded 45-29), and weak defense, as Charlotte shot 51.3 percent from the field and 48.3 percent from beyond the arc.

“I think (the Hornets) were trying harder,” said Indiana coach Rick Carlisle. “There you go. We gotta try harder, you know?”

Some of Indiana’s key players, like Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and Pascal Siakam, had quiet games on Sunday. Together, they shot 11-for-29 from the field, including just 1-for-13 from three-point range, and scored only 29 points. None of the Pacers’ starters had more than 11 points.

“We’ve gotta be a team that can generate energy when things aren’t going well,” Carlisle said. “Unfortunately, a lot of our struggles come down to what’s happening offensively, and that’s something that we can control and we have to change.”

The post The well-rested and healthier Sixers face the struggling Pacers appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Embiid helped the 76ers secure their fourth win in five games. Tyrese Maxey also had a great performance, recording his first career triple-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 14 assists.

Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. each contributed 12 points for the 76ers, who outshot the Bulls 46.7 percent to 40.7 percent from the field.

Zach LaVine scored 30 points for the Bulls, who hit 19 three-pointers but still couldn’t avoid their second consecutive loss. Nikola Vucevic and Coby White both added 13 points, with Vucevic also grabbing eight rebounds.

The Bulls found themselves down by 19 points just over four minutes into the second half but started to make a comeback at the end of the third quarter. They closed the quarter with an 8-0 run, including a 3-pointer from Jalen Smith at the buzzer, cutting the 76ers’ lead to 88-79 heading into the final period.

With 5:24 left in the game, LaVine hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to just four points at 96-92, but the Bulls couldn’t get any closer.

LaVine had 10 points in the first quarter, helping the Bulls take a 33-23 lead after the opening 12 minutes.

Embiid took control in the second quarter, scoring 19 points. He was especially key during a 24-6 run to start the period, with 15 of those points coming from him. The 76ers built a 14-point lead before going into halftime with a 62-50 advantage.

The Bulls tried to close the gap in the third quarter, getting as close as 65-54 after Vucevic scored a floater and two free throws in the first 1:34. However, Embiid converted a three-point play, sparking a 14-6 run that pushed the 76ers’ lead to 79-60 with 7:44 left in the third.

The post Joel Embiid nets 31 points in his comeback, leading the Sixers to a win over the Bulls appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Game Summaries and Scores

Philadelphia 76ers 102, Orlando Magic 94
Paul George and KJ Martin led the 76ers to a victory over the Magic, capitalizing on Orlando’s 19 turnovers. Franz Wagner shone for Orlando with 30 points, but it wasn’t enough to stop Philadelphia from taking the win.

Boston Celtics 111, Milwaukee Bucks 105
Boston secured a 3-0 season sweep over Milwaukee, with Jayson Tatum posting 34 points and 10 rebounds. The Bucks celebrated Khris Middleton’s return, but his impact wasn’t enough to prevent a narrow loss.

Atlanta Hawks 134, Los Angeles Lakers 132 (OT)
In a game with 32 lead changes, the Hawks triumphed in overtime thanks to Trae Young’s heroics. LeBron James and Anthony Davis put up stellar numbers, but Atlanta’s bench outclassed Los Angeles.

Sacramento Kings 140, San Antonio Spurs 113
Sacramento’s balanced attack overwhelmed San Antonio, with six players scoring between 16 and 23 points. DeMar DeRozan moved into the NBA’s top-30 all-time scoring list during the game.

Indiana Pacers 132, Chicago Bulls 123
The Pacers shot an incredible 62.1% from beyond the arc, marking the best three-point shooting performance of the season. Tyrese Haliburton spearheaded Indiana’s offensive dominance.

Utah Jazz 141, Portland Trail Blazers 99
Utah made history by having nine players score in double digits in their blowout win over Portland. Walker Kessler was a defensive force, posting 17 rebounds and five blocks.

Minnesota Timberwolves 107, Golden State Warriors 90
Anthony Edwards led the way as the Timberwolves pulled away in the fourth quarter. Minnesota dominated the boards and outperformed the Warriors offensively.

Top Performers of the Night

• Trae Young: 31 points, 20 assists, and a game-winning shot in overtime.
• LeBron James: 39 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in a triple-double effort.
• Anthony Davis: 38 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists in a dominant performance.
• Jayson Tatum: 34 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in Boston’s victory.

Key Highlights and Storylines

Trae Young Makes History

Atlanta’s Trae Young became the first player in NBA history to record 30 points, 20 assists, and five three-pointers in a single game. Young’s clutch performance, which included assisting or scoring every bucket in overtime, sealed the Hawks’ sixth consecutive victory. His dagger against the Lakers proved to be the decisive moment in a thrilling game.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis Shine

LeBron James delivered yet another masterclass, logging his sixth triple-double of the season. Despite his efforts, including a spectacular chase-down block, the Lakers fell short. Anthony Davis added 38 points but struggled with turnovers and defensive lapses. Atlanta’s bench, led by De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanović, provided the edge.

Boston’s Depth Outlasts Milwaukee

In a marquee Eastern Conference clash, the Celtics displayed their championship pedigree. Tatum’s brilliance and timely contributions from Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday were pivotal. Despite strong performances from Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee’s efforts fell short. Khris Middleton, returning from double ankle surgery, showed flashes of brilliance but will need more time to regain his rhythm.

Sacramento’s All-Round Effort

The Kings routed the Spurs with an impressive team display. Domantas Sabonis led the rebounding charge, while De’Aaron Fox orchestrated the offense. The game also highlighted DeMar DeRozan’s scoring milestone, as he eclipsed 24,000 career points. Julian Champagnie, filling in for Victor Wembanyama, delivered a career-high 30 points for the Spurs in a valiant effort.

Indiana’s Shooting Clinic

The Pacers were unstoppable from beyond the arc, hitting 62.1% of their three-point attempts. Tyrese Haliburton continued his hot streak, supported by balanced scoring from Pascal Siakam, T.J. McConnell, and Obi Toppin. McConnell’s remarkable season at age 32 has been a revelation, showcasing his ability to contribute both as a scorer and playmaker.

Utah’s Dominance

The Jazz registered a statement win over the Trail Blazers. Walker Kessler anchored the defense with five blocks, while Johnny Juzang paced the offense with 22 points. Utah’s depth was on full display, with nine players scoring in double figures for the first time in franchise history.

Timberwolves Hold Off Warriors

Minnesota showcased their defensive and offensive cohesion in a commanding win over Golden State. Anthony Edwards led the charge, surpassing 7,500 career points as the third-youngest player in NBA history to achieve the feat. Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid dominated the boards, while Stephen Curry was the lone bright spot for the Warriors.

Player Milestones and Records

Trae Young’s Historic Feat
Young’s 30-point, 20-assist game was a first in Hawks history and a rare achievement across the league.

Anthony Edwards Joins Elite Company
At just 22 years old, Edwards became the third-youngest player in NBA history to surpass 7,500 career points, joining LeBron James and Kevin Durant.

DeMar DeRozan’s Scoring Milestone
With 24,000 career points, DeRozan entered the NBA’s top-30 all-time scoring list, further cementing his legacy.

Defensive Mastery

Walker Kessler of the Jazz put on a defensive clinic, racking up 17 rebounds and five blocks. His ability to protect the paint was instrumental in Utah’s dominant performance. LeBron James, despite his age, showcased his defensive prowess with a crucial chase-down block that kept the Lakers in the game against Atlanta.

What’s Next?

The excitement doesn’t stop here. Many of Friday’s matchups hinted at potential postseason previews, particularly Boston vs. Milwaukee. With Khris Middleton back in action and the Bucks seeking revenge, future clashes between these teams could be pivotal.

Additionally, Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves are set to face the Warriors again on Sunday. Minnesota’s recent form and Edwards’ rise make them a team to watch as the season progresses.

Final Takeaways

Friday night in the NBA reminded fans why basketball is more than a game. It’s about records being broken, milestones achieved, and the relentless pursuit of victory. From Trae Young’s historic night to the Celtics’ determination against the Bucks, every game had its unique flavor. Whether it’s LeBron James defying age, Anthony Edwards making history, or Walker Kessler locking down the paint, the league’s stars continue to shine brightly.

The season promises even more electrifying action, with teams battling for playoff positioning and players chasing individual greatness. Stay tuned, as the journey has just begun.

The post NBA Stars Shine in December 6 Thrillers: Scores, Highlights, and Record-Breaking Performances appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

The Sixers had lost 106-102 to the Magic on Wednesday without George (knee), but they played a sharper game in this matchup, even without Joel Embiid (knee) again.

KJ Martin stepped up with a season-high 20 points, making 9 of 10 shots off the bench for Philadelphia. Tyrese Maxey and Guerschon Yabusele each contributed 16 points as well.

Franz Wagner led Orlando with 30 points, while Jalen Suggs added 22 points. Moritz Wagner also chipped in with 12 points and nine rebounds. However, the Magic struggled with their shooting, making just 13 of 46 three-point attempts (28.3%) and turning the ball over 21 times.

The 76ers were ahead 59-57 with around three minutes left in the third quarter, but they finished the period with a 12-2 run.

Kelly Oubre, who had 13 points and 10 rebounds, started the run with a 3-pointer. Martin’s dunk made it a seven-point game, and Maxey and Jared McCain combined for the final seven points of the period. By the end of the third quarter, Philadelphia led 71-59.

The Sixers pushed their lead to 78-61 early in the fourth, thanks to George’s contested 3-pointer. But Orlando went on a 10-point run, highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers from Moritz Wagner and Cole Anthony.

Philadelphia responded with six straight points, four of them from George, pushing the lead back to 84-71.

Suggs kept Orlando in the game late, hitting three 3-pointers and two free throws in the final 4 1/2 minutes. However, he missed two tough three-point attempts in the last 35 seconds, and the Sixers closed out the win with free throws.

Franz Wagner had 15 of Orlando’s 27 points in the first quarter, giving the Magic a two-point lead. Philadelphia then scored the first 10 points of the second quarter and went into halftime ahead 50-41, despite 20 points from Franz Wagner. He shot 7-for-15 in the first half, while his teammates made only 7 of 28 shots.

The post Paul George and the 76ers defeat the Magic to even up the two-game series appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Orlando began its two-game visit to Philadelphia with a 106-102 win. Franz Wagner led the team with 35 points, while the Magic made it difficult for 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey to have a good shooting night.

The 76ers played without two of their top three players, as Joel Embiid and Paul George sat out to rest their knees. This left coach Nick Nurse with only one All-Star on the court, along with a group of role players who are also dealing with injuries.

“(Finding continuity without key players) is very difficult,” said Nurse, who hopes to have George (and possibly Embiid) back for Friday’s game.

“I hope that we are going to get these guys together at the same time here fairly shortly. And then start working on the continuity. But to your question, it is difficult. Guys are in and out and we’re trying to figure it out.”

Orlando also played without its best player, Paolo Banchero, who is still out with an oblique injury. Despite that, the Magic relied on Wagner’s 35-point performance to earn their seventh win in the last eight games.

“I really did like their composure,” said Magic coach Jamahl Mosley about his team’s calmness in the final moments. “The communication between each of the guys about where the matchups were, how we were guarding, the different situations we were gonna be in.

I just think that they did a great job of listening and paying attention to what the coaches were saying, but also with communicating with one another.”

Wagner is having his best season so far, averaging 24.2 points, 5.7 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals, even though he’s playing about the same amount of minutes as in the past two seasons. His teammates and coaches have been suggesting he could be an All-Star, but Wagner prefers to ignore the attention.

“(I try to) focus on the stuff that really matters,” Wagner said. “Obviously it’s really cool to be playing well and to have a good season. Everybody has their own motivation. That’s just kind of an add-on for me.”

Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s main scorer, Maxey, is going through a bit of a shooting slump.

Maxey made only 7-of-19 shots (0-for-7 from 3-point range) against Orlando on Wednesday. This is the fourth time in the last five games that he’s shot below 42%.

“They trapped every ball screen,” said Maxey, who is 1-of-14 from 3-point range in the last two games. “That’s hard, but that’s why Jared (McCain) got downhill. They played drop on him. He got downhill and scored (24 points), he made some 3s. I thought we did a good job, man. I got in the paint, I got guys open shots — we made some, we missed some. I’m overall happy with the way we played offense.”

The Magic are 3-1 so far on their five-game road trip, which has included games in New York against the Nets and Knicks, and now Philadelphia. After Friday’s game, they will return to Orlando for seven of their next eight games.

The post The 76ers aim to prevent a two-game sweep by the surging Magic appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Wagner made 12 of 23 shots from the field and was perfect from the free-throw line, going 10 for 10. This was his seventh 30-point game of the season. Jalen Suggs added 17 points, making 4 of 8 three-pointers, while the rest of the Magic team struggled with their three-point shooting, going 4 for 21.

For Philadelphia, rookie Jared McCain scored 24 points, leading the team. The 76ers played without Joel Embiid (knee) and Paul George (knee), while Orlando was still missing Paolo Banchero (oblique).

Tyrese Maxey (16 points), Kelly Oubre Jr. (15 points), and Guerschon Yabusele (15 points) also contributed for the 76ers, who will face the Magic again on Friday night.

The game was tied at 53-53 at halftime and at 74-74 after three quarters. The fourth quarter was just as exciting.

The Magic started the final period strong, scoring 10 of the first 12 points, including three baskets by Wagner.

Orlando led 97-87 with 4:07 left, but Philadelphia made a strong push. McCain’s 3-pointer and Maxey’s layup helped the 76ers score 13 of the next 17 points. However, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope made two free throws with eight seconds left, putting the Magic ahead 103-100.

Maxey tried a running 3-pointer on the other end, hoping for a foul, but there was no call and the shot missed. Wagner then made two free throws to seal the win.

Wagner had 11 points in the first quarter, helping the Magic lead 34-22 after the opening period.

Orlando’s Jonathan Isaac (14 points) hit a 3-pointer early in the second quarter, pushing the lead to 15 points. But the 76ers responded and cut the lead to 44-42 with a layup from McCain. The Magic extended their lead to seven points, but McCain and Maxey helped the 76ers tie the game at halftime.

The Sixers took a six-point lead early in the third quarter, but Wagner scored six straight points to tie the game. From then on, the teams stayed close, with the lead never more than three points apart for the rest of the period.

The post Franz Wagner scores 35 points to lead the Magic to a win over the Sixers appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Embiid, a two-time scoring champion, has only played four games this season due to knee injuries and a suspension for pushing a sports writer. He hasn’t played since Nov. 20 and has missed the last six games, with the Sixers going 3-3 during his absence.

The 76ers and coach Nick Nurse often don’t know if Embiid will play until the day of the game. While the uncertainty around the 2023 NBA MVP’s availability causes some issues and drama for the team, Nurse said they won’t rest Embiid for an extended period to treat the ongoing problems with his surgically repaired left knee.

“We’re still trying to get him,” Nurse said, referring to getting Embiid back on the court.

Nurse mentioned that Embiid had a small workout earlier in the day.

“After a good workout, we need to see how it reacts,” Nurse said. “We go tomorrow again. As soon as it’s good enough to go, he’s going to go.”

The 76ers have a day off on Thursday, and Nurse said there’s a chance Embiid could return on Friday to play another game against the Magic.

Paul George, a nine-time All-Star who has missed most of the season with knee issues, also sat out against Orlando, a day after scoring a season-high 29 points. George made 10 of 16 shots, had eight assists, and played a season-high 37 minutes in a 110-104 victory against Charlotte.

“Heavy minutes for him last night,” Nurse said. “Got caught in a tough game.”

The 76ers had won two straight games for the first time this season, but then lost 106-102 to Orlando, falling to a 5-15 record. Only Washington has a worse record in the Eastern Conference.

The 76ers’ All-Star trio of Embiid, George, and Tyrese Maxey have only played one game and just over six minutes together this season.

“We’re going to hope that we’re going to get these guys together at the same time fairly shortly,” Nurse said. “Then we’ll start working on that continuity. It is difficult when guys are in-and-out and we’re trying to figure it out.”

The 76ers were also missing Andre Drummond (ankle) and Kyle Lowry (hip) against Orlando.

Maxey, who signed a five-year, $204 million extension in the offseason, has been carrying most of the scoring load in Embiid and George’s absence, leading the team with 25.5 points per game and playing 36 minutes a game.

Maxey couldn’t do it all on his own against Orlando, scoring just 16 points. He missed all seven of his three-point attempts, took only two free throws, and missed a late running three-pointer that could have tied the game.

“Tyrese certainly can’t do it all by himself, we know that,” Nurse said. “That becomes taxing. All those other guys have got to pitch in when they can.”

The post 76ers coach Nick Nurse states there are no plans to bench frequently injured center Joel Embiid appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

On Wednesday night, the 76ers will aim for their third straight win when they play the Orlando Magic at home in the first of two matchups this week.

Fatigue could be a factor for both teams. The 76ers are still without Joel Embiid (knee) and are traveling back to Philadelphia after playing in Charlotte on Tuesday night. The Magic, on the other hand, just finished a five-day trip to New York, all while missing their star forward Paolo Banchero (oblique). The Magic will also play on back-to-back nights in different cities.

Before losing to the Knicks by 15 points on Tuesday, the Magic had won six games in a row. The last two victories were on the road against the Brooklyn Nets, where the Magic allowed an average of 96 points per game.

However, they gave up 121 points against the Knicks, their most allowed since the third game of the season. New York shot over 50 percent from the field and nearly 43 percent from the 3-point line. Additionally, 16 turnovers by Orlando didn’t help their cause.

“It’s hard to win a game when you turn the ball over 16 times for 32 points. You’re just giving points away,” said Magic coach Jamahl Mosley. He also added, “You have to flush this one. Obviously you take the lessons from it and … you look at that for (Wednesday) night.”

Franz Wagner led Orlando with 30 points and six assists, bouncing back from a poor shooting performance (4-of-17) on Sunday against Brooklyn.

“Franz continues to make his case for being an All-Star,” Mosley said about the 23-year-old forward.

As for the 76ers, they’ve struggled without Embiid, who is still dealing with knee pain. Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said it’s unlikely Embiid will play on Wednesday.

“We’ll check on Joel,” Nurse said. “I don’t have any real update for you. Don’t expect him to play (Wednesday), but I wouldn’t rule it out yet, either.”

Luckily for Nurse, his team has two other All-Star players in Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. Maxey scored the last 11 points for the 76ers in their 110-104 win at Charlotte on Tuesday, helping the team secure their fifth win in 19 games this season.

“That’s the way to fight, man. We’ve been talking about it all year,” Maxey said. “There’ve been times where we got hit in the mouth, laid down, let teams win games. … Charlotte tried to do it to us tonight. But we were resilient. Guys made plays, made free throws down the stretch, and we won the game.”

George matched his season-high with 29 points after averaging just 11 points in his previous four games.

“This is a great win,” George said. “This is another building block for something special that we’re doing now.”

The 76ers and Magic last played on Nov. 15 in Orlando, where Wagner scored 31 points to lead the Magic to a 98-86 win. The teams will face each other again on Friday night in Philadelphia.

The post The 76ers face the Magic at home, aiming for their third straight victory appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Maxey contributed 10 of his 21 points from free throws as Philadelphia won back-to-back games for the first time this season, despite losing a 19-point lead in the second half. Jared McCain added 17 points off the bench, Kelly Oubre Jr. had 14 points, and George also had eight assists.

Brandon Miller scored 34 points, and Nick Richards had 22 points and 14 rebounds for Charlotte, but the Hornets lost their sixth consecutive game. Cody Martin scored 12 points, and Tidjane Salaun finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Hornets were down by 14 with less than 11 minutes to go but managed to cut the lead to 91-89 with more than five minutes remaining. Miller helped with three 3-pointers in less than 2 1/2 minutes.

After Philadelphia went nearly two minutes without scoring, the Hornets tied the game at 95-95 with 3:10 left on two free throws from KJ Simpson. Charlotte took the lead at 100-99 after a turnover led to Miller’s 3-pointer with 1:32 remaining.

Maxey responded by hitting 3 of 4 free throws in eight seconds to give the 76ers the lead back. Simpson tied it with two free throws at the 44-second mark. Maxey’s drive with 29.7 seconds left put Philadelphia back ahead, and he added four more free throws and a basket to seal the victory.

Charlotte dominated the rebounding battle, finishing with a 47-31 advantage. Guerschon Yabusele led the 76ers with 12 rebounds. George made 6 of 9 3-pointers, and Oubre, who used to play for the Hornets, hit 4 of 5 from long range. Miller made 7 of 16 3-pointers, more than half of Charlotte’s 13 total 3-pointers.

The 76ers held a 55-44 lead at halftime and pushed it to 78-59 late in the third quarter before Charlotte responded with a 10-2 run to close the period.

The post Tyrese Maxey’s strong performance in the final moments leads the 76ers to a win over the Hornets appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

KJ Martin contributed 19 points, six rebounds, and three blocks, while Ricky Council IV added 17 points. Kelly Oubre Jr. also scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds. Paul George, who had missed the previous three games due to a left knee bone bruise, scored 11 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out five assists.

Both teams were missing key players. Sixers’ star Joel Embiid missed his fourth straight game because of a left knee injury and personal reasons. Pistons’ top scorer Cade Cunningham also sat out due to a hip injury.

Detroit had a big win against Indiana the night before, beating them 130-106. Embiid’s replacement, Andre Drummond, left the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury.

The Sixers got revenge for their earlier 105-95 loss to Detroit at home. This was only their fourth win of the season, having lost seven of their last eight games.

Malik Beasley led the Pistons with 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Jaden Ivey scored 15 points. Marcus Sasser and Wendell Moore Jr. added 12 and 11 points off the bench.

Philadelphia shot 56 percent in the first quarter, taking a 37-20 lead. Detroit fought back in the second quarter, narrowing the gap to 57-52 at halftime. Beasley had 14 points, and Ivey contributed 12.

Council led the Sixers in the first half with 13 points.

Philadelphia regained a double-digit lead early in the third quarter. Maxey scored 10 points in the first three minutes, and Martin’s dunk made it 69-55, forcing Detroit to call a timeout.

Back-to-back dunks by Martin and Guerschon Yabusele increased the lead to 77-60. Oubre’s basket with 3:52 left in the quarter stretched the lead to 20 points, and they led 89-69 at the end of the third.

Detroit never made a comeback in the fourth quarter.

The post 76ers secure uncommon victory, bounce back from previous home defeat to Pistons appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Joel Embiid, the team’s star center, will miss his fourth straight game on Saturday night when the 76ers play the Pistons. He will be absent due to left knee injury management and personal reasons.

Paul George, who hasn’t played since November 20 due to a left knee bone bruise, is listed as questionable after participating in Friday’s practice. Caleb Martin, who missed Wednesday’s overtime loss to Houston due to a back injury, is also questionable.

Kelly Oubre Jr., a teammate of George, told The Philadelphia Inquirer that he was encouraged by how George looked in practice and believes George could help the team get back on track.

“Getting those reps, being able to see him feeling good, looking good,” Oubre said. “Obviously, just the presence alone does a lot for the morale of the team. We have to continue to just build and try to encourage guys and help guys get back to their full rhythm and strength.”

Martin isn’t fully recovered but hopes to play on Saturday.

“We’ve got guys banged up, and if I can go, I’m going to try to go,” Martin said. “I used to do the same thing in Miami. I would tell guys, even when I was really banged up, ‘I can give 10 minutes tonight.’ Whatever it is. I’m going to try to give whatever I can give and help the team the best I can.”

The 76ers need all the help they can get. They entered the season with hopes of a championship, adding George, Martin, and other free agents to complement Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. However, they are struggling, with a 3-14 record and having lost seven of their last eight games.

Detroit, on the other hand, got its first win of the season at Philadelphia’s expense, beating the 76ers 105-95 on October 30. Pistons guards Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham combined for 45 points and 10 assists in that game. Since then, Detroit has been playing better, holding a .500 record.

The Pistons are playing the second game of a back-to-back on Saturday. They just had one of their best games of the season, defeating Indiana 130-106 on the road in an NBA Cup game. Detroit shot 57.8 percent from the field, with three players scoring more than 20 points—Malik Beasley (25), Cunningham (24), and Ivey (23). Cunningham, who had missed the previous three games due to a hip injury, contributed 11 of the Pistons’ 35 assists.

“That was our emphasis on the scouting report and what coach was really preaching to us — moving the ball,” Cunningham said after the game.

Beasley is one of several veterans the Pistons’ front office brought in to provide stability. Cunningham, Ivey, Jalen Duren, and Ausar Thompson have benefited from their experience.

“It’s a lot of new guys with this group,” Cunningham said. “The young core, we’ve been together, but to have time together and be able to play together, feel each other out, that’s the name of the game.”

After a terrible season last year (14-68), the Pistons are showing improvement with a 9-12 record this year. The last time they had a season with a .500 record or better was in 2018-19.

“We’re a group of guys who are willing to sacrifice for something more than themselves,” said first-year Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “When you put a group of guys like that together, it’s a great start. We’ll continue to get better with the schemes and the technical pieces of it, but when you have guys playing out there that way, you give yourself a chance to win, and that’s why we’re in so many games, because our guys are playing selfless, competitive basketball.”

The post 76ers head to Detroit to take on the “selfless” Pistons appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

George is out with a bone bruise in his left knee, while Embiid will miss another game because of swelling in his left knee.

In addition, six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry (hip strain) will also be sitting out against Houston.

With both Embiid and George missing most of the year, the 76ers have only won 3 of their 16 games, placing them second to last in the Eastern Conference, ahead of only Washington.

“We’ve all kind of looked in the mirror and faced what we’re up against,” George said during practice in Camden, New Jersey, on Wednesday. “No one has said this is over. No one is doubting we can’t make a push.”

The All-Star trio of Embiid, George, and Tyrese Maxey have played together for just one game this season, totaling just over six minutes on the court.

George has played in only eight of the team’s 16 games, while Embiid has played in just four.

A nine-time All-Star, George participated partially in practice on Wednesday. The Sixers also mentioned that Caleb Martin, who signed a four-year, $32 million contract, did not practice and is listed as questionable for Wednesday due to hip soreness.

“I saw something that we played 6 or 7 minutes together and we’re 16 games in,” George said. “It’s challenging. You look at the guys that came here for that reason of playing alongside myself, Joel, and Tyrese. We’re asking them to do a lot in the absence of us.”

The 76ers committed over $400 million in salary to Maxey and George early in free agency and also signed Embiid to a $193 million extension just before training camp began.

The post Another familiar situation in Philadelphia as both Paul George and Joel Embiid are sidelined once more appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

The game was the first of a four-game road trip for the Clippers. They shot 58 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range, and they controlled the rebounds 44-33, even without their top scorer Norman Powell (hamstring) and star player Kawhi Leonard (knee).

Derrick Jones Jr. scored 18 points, and Terance Mann added 13 points off the bench for the Clippers.

For Philadelphia, Jared McCain scored 18 points but struggled, shooting just 3-of-15 from the field. The 76ers continued to play without Joel Embiid (knee) and Paul George (knee). Tyrese Maxey contributed 17 points, and Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 12.

The Clippers shot 60 percent in the first quarter, with Harden and Amir Coffey each hitting two 3-pointers. Los Angeles jumped out to a 17-5 lead in less than five minutes, eventually finishing the first quarter ahead 39-27.

In the second quarter, the Clippers maintained a lead of at least 11 points and went into halftime up 62-50.

Los Angeles started the third quarter with a 9-1 run, including five quick points from Jones, to push their lead to 20. Maxey’s 3-pointer brought Philadelphia to within 73-56, but the Clippers responded with 13 of the next 15 points to extend their lead to 86-58.

A layup by Kris Dunn with about four minutes left in the third gave the Clippers a lead of more than 30 points for the first time. Kevin Porter Jr.’s basket a minute later made it 95-62, the Clippers’ largest lead of the game.

The 76ers made a brief 10-2 run to end the third quarter, capped by McCain’s 3-pointer, but they still trailed by 25 points going into the final quarter.

Philadelphia never posed a serious threat in the fourth quarter and dropped to a 3-13 record for the season.

The post Clippers dominate in blowout victory, sending 76ers to a 3-13 record appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

The 76ers brought back the past on Sunday night by wearing throwback uniforms to honor their old home, the Spectrum.

Their former players also made their return.

Simmons, a former No. 1 pick once seen as the future of the franchise, played with the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night, while Harden, now with the Los Angeles Clippers, had his own less-than-welcoming return on Sunday.

Both Simmons and Harden had been expected to lead the 76ers to deep playoff runs—and even a championship—but their promising starts with the team fell apart, leading to difficult and unhappy tenures, which ended with a sense of relief when they left.

Simmons struggled with his shooting, while Harden pushed for a new contract. Despite the different issues over the years, the same problems have continued for Philadelphia.

These days, the biggest issue is bad knees.

Joel Embiid and Paul George, who both signed massive contracts in the offseason, were out of the game with knee injuries. George had a left knee bone bruise, and Embiid had swelling in his left knee.

Even six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry, dealing with a hip strain, missed the game against the Clippers, watching from the sidelines with an oversized Philadelphia Eagles hat on.

Coach Nick Nurse said, “It’s certainly not ideal and not that easy to manage. But it is part of the game. Guys come and go all the time. There’s guys in and out, both sides of the ball. Again, I’m always disappointed for the player.”

The announcer went through the injury report, listing Embiid, George, and Lowry as out, with the crowd responding quietly, as they’ve grown used to missing stars.

It’s easy for Sixers fans—and the front office—to wonder what could have been if Simmons or Harden had stayed healthy and happy while playing alongside Embiid.

George was supposed to be the latest star to help Embiid bring the 76ers their first championship since 1983. But things have gone poorly so far, with George playing just eight of 16 games and Embiid only four.

Without them, the 76ers lost 125-99 to the Clippers, dropping to 3-13.

Embiid, wearing a blue 76ers sweatshirt and sweatpants, quietly talked to his teammates in the locker room.

“All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey said, “Kept trying to keep his spirits high. He loves basketball. He wants to play basketball every single day. If he could play all 82 games, every single game of the playoffs, I promise you, he would.”

Since he can’t, Nurse did what he could and started a lineup that included Kelly Oubre Jr. and Guerschon Yabusele in front of a crowd with many empty seats.

The good news, Nurse said, is that Embiid and George were both “progressing OK.” George, a nine-time All-Star, worked out on the court on Saturday. Nurse also mentioned that Embiid’s swelling was “looking better” ahead of more exams this week.

Embiid’s season has been difficult. The 30-year-old missed the entire preseason, was suspended for an altercation with a columnist, was called out by teammates in a private team meeting, and has fallen out of favor with fans tired of his constant injury uncertainty.

“As things go up and down, we’re all trying to keep things level,” Nurse said. “I think he has kept things pretty level. He’s been very communicative and seems to be OK. He understands that we’re trying to figure this out as we go here. He also understands the team’s not getting good results. So there is a lot to talk about.”

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, who was an assistant coach on the U.S. team that won gold in Paris, declined to comment on Embiid’s health for the Olympics.

“I don’t know if he was supposed to be healthy or not,” Lue said. “He helped us win a gold medal, it’s all I know.”

At least the Sixers announced on Friday that Embiid would miss the Clippers’ game, which allowed fans to try to sell tickets for a cheap price on the secondary market.

One bright spot has been rookie Jared McCain, who has been a highlight for fans who bought those discounted tickets.

The Clippers, fresh off a 4-0 homestand, played without Kawhi Leonard, while other teams missing All-Stars for various reasons is becoming a regular part of the league.

For the 76ers, the challenge remains to find a way to deal with these absences.

“Almost all the time,” Nurse said, “we need to try something.”

The post Joel Embiid and Paul George, both injured, sit out once more on the 76ers’ bench appeared first on Sports Al Dente.