標籤: 76ers

For Philadelphia 76ers fans expecting notable roster changes this summer, a new report from ESPN has mostly bad news for you.

There were high expectations for the Sixers’ postseason chances in Philadelphia a few weeks ago. They made a stunning comeback from down 3-1 in the opening round series and eliminated the Boston Celtics. Several sports analysts also suggested that they were the former favorites to reach the NBA Finals. They then ran into the New York Knicks buzzsaw and were eliminated from the playoffs.

Change was clearly coming, and it came Tuesday when they officially fired president of basketball operations Daryl Morey. Head coach Nick Nurse will stay on for at least one more season, but what about his roster? This was clearly not enough to defeat New York. Additionally, busted stars Joel Embiid and Paul George are costly obstacles to improving the roster.

Many have suggested in recent days that the 76ers won’t do much this summer. And it seems that sports officials believe they shouldn’t. A Western executive told ESPN, “Run it back, manage Joel as best you can, be a playoff team and try to stay healthy. I think you can do a lot at the margin.”

Additionally, ESPN NBA insider Tim Bontemps said, “It doesn’t make sense for Philadelphia to pay a heavy price of assets to give up any veteran star.”

Team President’s ‘catchy’ debut thanks to Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe

Yet making a move on the sidelines, as the West executive has suggested, may be difficult, because as NBA insider Brian Windhorst points out in the same report, the 76ers are apparently avoiding moving closer to the second NBA tax apron. This is reportedly why they moved Jared McCann before this year’s trade deadline, and has made similar trades in recent years.

However, the ESPN report offers some hope. Although the Sixers have stuck with George and Embiid, teams all around the game have relied heavily on the backcourt duo of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. An East executive told the outlet that they are “arguably the most exciting backcourt in the entire league.”

Additionally, multiple executives who spoke to NBA insiders claimed that the young and talented duo is a major reason why the chance to become the next team president is “tempting” for potential candidates.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Over the weekend, the Philadelphia 76ers’ 2025-26 season came to a sad end with a 30-point loss and finalizing a four-game sweep by the New York Knicks in the NBA Playoffs semifinals. Being defeated so badly by its I-95 rivals sent a clear message that changes would be made this summer.

It officially started on Tuesday when the 76ers fired president of basketball operations Daryl Morey. While they would be willing to move Joel Embiid and the $186 million remaining on his contract, the chances of a deal are extremely slim. However, that may not be the case with fellow expensive and frequently injured veteran Paul George.

According to NBA insider Jake Fisher, the nine-time All-Star has “improved his trade value around the NBA somewhat,” and the ability to opt out of the final year of his deal in 2028 and sign a long-term deal at a lower annual average could make him attractive to some teams this summer.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at four potential trades the 76ers could make in the offseason for Paul George.

Paul George to Kings for Zach LaVine

The Sacramento Kings have their own well-paid, injury-prone swingman in Zach LaVine. While he is only 31 years old, the two-time All-Star has played 50 or more games only once in the last three seasons. However, assuming they pick up their player option for next season, Philly would still take him in to see what a season with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe would look like.

There is risk in the deal for the Kings because George is older, but if he can’t be traded and can remain on the roster next season, he’s probably a better fit with Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan.

Paul George and the Bulls’ 2027 first-rounder for Patrick Williams

In any deal, the 76ers would likely need to take back a bad contract. One idea would be to send George to the Chicago Bulls for Patrick Williams. The forward has three years left on his deal, but the total is less than what George makes in a season. Giving them far more cap flexibility in the short and long term. Especially if they extend the maxi soon.

For the Bulls, if healthy, George makes them far better and can be a veteran leader while they continue to develop Josh Giddy and Matas Buzzelis. And for the Sixers, they freed up a ton of cap space and gained a solid depth piece for the bench.

Paul George in Heat for Andrew Wiggins and Nikola Jovic

If Andrew Wiggins opts out of the final year of his current contract with the Miami Heat – which he is expected to do – then he, along with Nikola Jovic, could be a target in a summer Paul George trade to create a money matchup.

While the trade would be a risk for Miami if they can’t make a big deal for a star this summer — Giannis Antetokounmpo — and lose Norman Powell in free agency, George would be a good backup plan to fill that scoring void while improving his defense a bit.

Paul George to Pelicans for Jordan Poole and Herb Jones

Another direction the 76ers could take to move George is to call the New Orleans Pelicans on the phone and see about their interest in taking the future Hall of Famer in a deal for Jordan Poole and Herb Jones. The guard will be paid more than $34 million next season, but this is the last year of his deal.

If George can stay healthy for most of the year the Pelicans will definitely be a better team next season. For the 76ers, they get a good bench scorer for one year and a good perimeter defender in Jones to shore up the roster.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Philadelphia 76ers need to move on from Joel Embiid, and this summer is one possible way to do it. But that would mean acquiring another expensive, injury-plagued big man, and it could cost them their first-round pick in June.

There were high expectations for the Sixers’ postseason chances in Philadelphia a week ago. They made a stunning comeback from 3-1 down to eliminate the Boston Celtics in the first round. Many analysts around the game suggested that they were the new favorites from the East to reach the NBA Finals. Then they ran into a buzz saw called the New York Knicks.

The organization has a lot of decisions to make after the 76ers’ dominance and loss to New York. Is Daryl Morey’s run as team president over? Should coach Nick Nurse be fired? Still, for whoever is running the team next month, one era that needs to end is Embiid’s time in the City of Brotherly Love.

Why the Philadelphia 76ers should trade Joel Embiid this summer

The seven-time All-Star and 2022-23 NBA MVP will go down as one of the greatest players in 76ers history. That would be one of the greatest “what if” stories in league history. Despite once being an impressive athlete for a man of his size, the 32-year-old’s body is now in disrepair. In his 10 years in the league, he has played 60 or more games only four times due to numerous injuries, mostly to his legs.

In 2025-26, the 76ers placed him in bubble wrap and allowed him to play in only 38 games this season after appearing in 19 last year. Although he can perform at an All-Star level when healthy – he has posted 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks this season – his body cannot be trusted at all. This was proven during these playoffs, and with $186 million left on his contract, he is a bigger problem than a benefit for the organization.

What makes it even worse is that he has become a toxic personality at a time when Tyrese Maxey should be the new face of the franchise. He once again could not accept his team’s failures against the Knicks and blamed the referees. Then the season in which he played 38 games was called a “breakthrough”. In a blue-collar city like Philadelphia, Embiid has worn out his welcome. The 76ers will have to turn the pages to progress.

Yet, because he is so composed and has shown that he will never be able to recapture his previous form – plus he is owed so much money – he is perhaps the most unattainable player in the NBA. Unless he was traded for a similar player, and a sweetener was added to the deal.

Should the 76ers try to replace Anthony Davis with Joel Embiid?

In many ways, 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis has had a similar career to Embiid. He also topped superstar projections. And while he could be a dominant force on the court like Embiid, injury problems followed him throughout his career. Besides, he still has a lot of money coming in. If Davis opts out of the final year of his contract in 2027-28, he could make up to $121 million over the next two years.

The Washington Wizards traded for him earlier this year and hope he – and Trae Young – can be part of a big resurgence next season. Still, reports have revealed that he is not thrilled about playing in DC, and may be open to another trade. But would the Wizards be willing to take Embiid back in a trade? Probably not.

However, if the 76ers were bold enough to add draft picks, they could do so. While Washington is expected to make big changes next season, they are still a rebuilding team that has the No. 1 pick in next month’s NBA Draft. What if they could also get the 22nd overall pick in one of the deepest drafts ever? Plus another first-rounder in a few years?

This would be a high cost for the 76ers. But they have the pieces to be very good again next season and they aren’t as eager to keep that pick at 22. Moving Embiid would be an addition by subtraction move. Plus, having Davis around even for one season is still a very good replacement option.

Although a trade is unlikely, if the 76ers can convince anyone to take Joel Embiid, his play and his contract, the Wizards would be the best trade partner.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Joel Embiid doesn’t want any blame for the Philadelphia 76ers’ failures in their semifinal series against the New York Knicks. And after their defeat in Game 3, they took the path of conspiracy to escape from it.

Friday was a must-win scenario for Embiid and the 76ers. They entered last night’s Game 3 up 2-0, having lost a lot of confidence after the Game 7 win over the Boston Celtics in the quarterfinals. With the return of the seven-time All-Star after missing Game 2 and some home support, Philly was in a better position to get its first W of the series.

However, after a strong first quarter and an early lead, the Knicks took control of the game in the second quarter and never relinquished it the rest of the night. While there are many who could take the blame for going 3-0, Embiid doesn’t want to take any of it.

After Game 1, he tried to put responsibility on the referees and accused the Knicks of dirty play. Unsurprisingly, he is also blaming the referees for the Game 3 failure. Yet, he has now gone beyond claiming poor performance by officials and is taking the path of conspiracy.

Joel Embiid: ‘I think it’s good when New York wins’

Embiid said when asked about officiating after Game 3, “They shot 32 free throws, we had 16. We’re not a team that shoots a lot of threes. We attack, put the ball on the floor. I don’t know.” “I think it’s good when New York wins, so we’ve got to have a mentality of not fouling. Being smart enough to not put ourselves in a position where they can take advantage of it.”

Of course, it must be the case that the league just wants the Knicks to advance and reach the NBA Finals. It can’t be that he was 3-11 in 14 minutes and .24 when he was on the floor in Game 1. Or that he missed Game 2 because of his lame body. Or that he let Tyrese Maxey take the lead in Game 3 instead of taking 17 shots and being -9 when he clearly wasn’t hot.

Making matters worse is Embiid’s avoidance of blame for the 76ers’ 3-0 series loss, becoming a viral sensation for his flop-a-thon in Game 3 on Saturday. The one-time NBA MVP is already an elite player. Taking responsibility for losses and being a leader makes him one of the least-liked stars in the NBA.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

While it seems like the entire basketball world knows that Tyrese Maxey is the best player on the Philadelphia 76ers, Nick Nurse clearly doesn’t, and his decision to let his veteran lead in Game 3 vs. the New York Knicks may cost him his job next week.

On Friday night, the 76ers were in position to win. They lost 2-0 in their semifinal series against the Knicks and had to deal with an atmosphere at Xfinity Mobile Arena that seemed to have just as many, if not more, New York fans. Still, Nurse had the horses to pull out a win and escape a 3-0 hole, especially with Joel Embiid back on the field.

There’s no doubt the 76ers are in a better position with Embiid on the floor. The seven-time All-Star commands respect on both sides of the court, even in this diminished version. However, the 2025-26 season confirmed an undeniable fact: Maxi is and should always be the No. 1 option on offense. Yet somehow the Sixers head coach hasn’t gotten the memo.

Where was Tyrese Maxey Friday night?

In addition to being the fifth-highest per-game scorer in the NBA this season, Nurse had enough evidence to focus on Maxey in Game 3, especially against the Knicks. The two teams split their four games during the regular season, and Games 1 and 2 of this series were very different.

With Embiid being the focal point in the opener, he got blown out for 40 points. With Embiid sidelined and Maxey moving on, Game 2 was close the entire time, and over-utilization of its starters was likely the difference between victory and defeat on Wednesday. As good a defense as the Knicks have, Maxi gives them the same problems he does the rest of the NBA. He is a wonderful blend of lightning speed and cunning.

This is Tyrese Maxey’s team now. Still, in the most important game of the 2025-26 season, Nurse wanted his 76ers to play like they did in 2022-23.

On Friday night, the two-time All-Star led not only the 76ers, but all players with 44 in Game 3. Yet, in the most bizarre statistic of the night, he took the fourth-most shots on his team. Paul George looked like he was 36 as he led the team with 18 shots, Embiid had 17 and Kelly Oubre — who averaged just 10 a game during the season — tallied 16 on Friday. Maxi had 12 shots in Game 3.

Nick Nurse loses his 76ers job in Game 3 vs. Knicks

Furthermore, it was clear that neither George nor Embiid were on a heater at halftime, as they were both outscored by Oubre on Friday as he led the 76ers with 22 points in a 108-94 loss to the Knicks in Game 3.

It’s baffling that as soon as the Knicks took control of the game in the second quarter, Nurse did not pull his team to the bench and demand an offensive run through Maxi, their best player and scorer.

Maxi can certainly take some blame for not asserting himself and demanding the ball. But he’s still only 25, and it’s no surprise he’d take on a pair of NBA greats in a big game. This is where Nurse must show the courage and leadership to engage his veterans in this instance to do what is best for the team.

Nurse was already feeling some heat in his third season as head coach of the 76ers. However, his coaching in Game 3 proves that – barring a history-breaking comeback to win this series – he is not the guy to take this team to the next level and will be out as head coach next week.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

On Wednesday evening, the Chicago Bulls will hit the road to take on the Philadelphia 76ers as the 2025-26 season concludes. The Bulls are coming off one of their most impressive wins of the season by defeating the Houston Rockets despite a big win from Kevin Durant on Monday evening.

Heading into the matchup against the 76ers, the Bulls have a busy injury report. Zach Collins (toe surgery), Noah Esengue (left shoulder surgery), and Jaden Ivey (left patellofemoral pain syndrome) have already been ruled out of the contest.

Meanwhile, Effernie Simmons is suspected with a left ulnar styloid fracture, as is Isaac Okoro, with right patellofemoral pain syndrome. Guershon Yabusele is also questionable with a left ankle sprain.

For the 76ers, Joel Embiid is questionable with a right oblique strain, while Quentin Grimes is also questionable with an illness. Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. will be out with various injuries, while Paul George is back in the lineup after serving a league-imposed 25-game suspension.

Overall, the Bulls don’t have much to play for as the 2025-26 season reaches its home stretch outside the lottery odds, but the team is still hoping to finish strong, and they got off to a good start in that department with their win over the Rockets on Monday.

In that game, Chicago showed impressive poise in knocking down several tough shots in a row, including a dagger three from Matas Bouzelis, followed by another from Jalen Smith, that essentially put the game on ice.

They need to continue to move the ball and create good offense against a 76ers team that is desperate to maintain their playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

Tipoff between Chicago and Philadelphia is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET.

The Philadelphia 76ers will take the field for a home game against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday evening. Joel Embiid is on the injury report, currently listed as questionable due to a right oblique strain. Everything we know about Embiid’s injury and his playing status on Wednesday against the Bulls.

Joel Embiid’s playing situation against the Bulls

Joel Embiid hasn’t appeared in a game for the 76ers since late February as he’s been dealing with an oblique strain, so his upgrade to questionable on the injury report before the Bulls game is certainly an encouraging sign, even if he doesn’t ultimately suit up for it.

Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. will be out for the 76ers in this one, while Paul George is back in the lineup after serving a league-mandated suspension of 25 games. Quentin Grimes is questionable due to an illness.

Meanwhile, the Bulls have listed forward Anfernee Simmons as questionable due to a left ulnar styloid fracture, while Isaac Okoro is also questionable due to right patellofemoral pain syndrome. Guershon Yabusele is questionable with a left ankle sprain.

The 76ers are currently in seventh place in the Eastern Conference due to consecutive losses to both the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, and they are looking to bounce back after losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder at home earlier this week.

Philadelphia is a game back from the Atlanta Hawks, who occupy the coveted number six seed in the conference, which represents an opportunity to avoid the play-in round altogether.

In any case, the 76ers and Bulls are scheduled to tip off from Philadelphia on Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have managed to stay on top of the Western Conference all season, and they have done so without one of their star players for most of the season. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Jalen Williams has been sidelined for the past few weeks with a hamstring injury, and with a few games left in the season, he is ready to make his return.

Multiple sources told ESPN, “Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams is off the injury report and will return to action on Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Williams has missed the past 5-plus weeks due to a hamstring strain, and now has 11 regular season games left,” Sharanya, formerly of the X, wrote on Twitter.

More details to come on this story.

The Philadelphia 76ers face Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night, and Joel Embiid is once again at the center of the injury report. The 76ers have listed Embiid as out with a right oblique strain, making Philadelphia the franchise star the focus of attention as the team looks to extend a two-game winning streak.

The 76ers enter the matchup at 37-31, No. 9 in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are 41-27, in 5th place in the Western Conference and looking to bounce back from a recent loss against the Los Angeles Lakers. With both teams pushing for momentum, Embiid’s absence looms large.

Embiid remains the 76ers’ anchor when available. In 33 games, he is averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists, while shooting 49.5 percent from the field, 31.8 percent from three and 85.8 percent from the line. He also adds 1.1 blocks and 0.6 steals per game.

When Embiid plays, the 76ers operate with far more structure and interior dominance. His ability to command double teams and control the paint shapes Philadelphia’s entire offensive system.

joel embiid injury status vs nuggets

The 76ers’ injury report includes several additional names. Jonny Broom is out as his right knee recovers from surgery. Paul George is out due to league suspension. Tyrese Maxey is out with a strained right tendon, while Kelly Oubre Jr. is out with a left elbow sprain. Dellen Terry is listed as questionable due to a left shoulder problem.

As for Denver, the Nuggets have several players listed out on the injury report. Those names include Jabari Walker, Darron Holmes II, Curtis Jones and KJ Simpson on G League assignment. Peyton Watson is also out with a right hamstring strain.

Still, Embiid’s absence remains the biggest story in this matchup. The 76ers will try to maintain their momentum even without their star. The Nuggets, meanwhile, aim to respond after the loss.

So when it comes to the question of whether Joel Embiid is playing tonight against the Nuggets, the answer is no. Their rightward bias will keep them on the sidelines. As a result, Philadelphia will need to adjust in an important inter-conference matchup.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Thunder adding Jared McCann to a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers is a gift that keeps on giving for the defending champions, as the second-year guard helped lead the way to a 116-103 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. McCain connected on his fourth and fifth 3-pointers in a two-minute span, cutting the Thunder’s lead to 15 in the fourth quarter.

McCain finished with 15 points on 5-for-10 shooting, including five threes and a steal. For a three-player Deep Thunder team that finished with 15+ points in Sunday’s win, Isaiah Joe’s 20 points (five threes) led the second unit, and Alex Caruso added 17 points, the trio combined for 52 points, including 11 threes. That was enough support to keep the Timberwolves away.

Then, Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished his 128th consecutive 20+ point game, scoring a 3-point game in the final minutes that brought him to 20 points. He also finished with 10 assists, two steals and a block. The Thunder have won eight consecutive games, including hard-fought victories against the Timberwolves, Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets during their four-game home stand.

What Mark Daigneault has learned about the Thunder’s Jared McCain

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault continues to learn about Jared McCann during the second-year guard’s first month with his new team. For Daigneault, it’s McCann’s offense that stands out the most, as he fits in seamlessly with his new Thunder teammates.

“His shooting ability. He’s a guy you have to make runs off the line, which opens up some of those drives. I didn’t know his game well, especially that part of his game — those mid-range games show his strength,” Daigneault said. “He’s going downhill, and he’s able to absorb contact and rise up and shoot a balanced rhythm shot, which is harder than it looks. He makes it look easier than it is. So, he’s done a great job.”

McCann has made at least one 3-pointer in 14 of his first 15 appearances for the Thunder. He is averaging 11.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game on 41.2/39.5/89.4 percent shooting splits.

After three road games in their last four contests, the Philadelphia 76ers return home to face the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday afternoon. The 76ers’ frontcourt depth is a concern heading into the game, with Andre Drummond listed as questionable and Joel Embiid still out with an oblique strain. Here’s everything we know about Andre Drummond’s injury and his playing status against the Nets.

Andre Drummond’s injury status vs. Nets

Andre Drummond has not played since the 76ers faced the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 9. He missed the team’s next game the following night and the upcoming game against the Detroit Pistons due to back spasms.

Drummond is once again listed as questionable for the same reason as the 76ers prepare to face the Nets on Saturday afternoon. Having already missed 17 games in the 2025-2026 season, Drummond could be viewed as a true game-time decision.

The 76ers will be severely short-handed up front due to another absence. Embiid is out with an oblique strain, and Adem Bona, who has started eight games this season, is also questionable with a back injury.

Bona also missed the 76ers’ last game, forcing head coach Nick Nurse to deploy a skeleton unit against the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons. Nurse started 6-foot-8 Trendon Watford as his makeshift center, allowing Jalen Duren to collect an easy 14-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Philadelphia will also be without Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. The Nets will play without Michael Porter Jr., but with or without Drummond, the 76ers will be the clear shorthanded team on Saturday afternoon.

Given his current roster status and his recent absences, Drummond is likely questionable for Saturday’s contest.

76ers injury report

Edem Bona, doubtful – back pain

Jonny Broom, out – recovering from right knee surgery.

Andre Drummond, doubtful – back spasms

Joel Embiid, out – right oblique strain

Paul George, out-suspension

Tyrese Maxi, out – right finger tendon strain

Kelly Oubre Jr., out – left elbow sprain

net injury report

Fracture, possible – pain in left ankle

Nick Claxton, Out – Rest

Igor Demin, out – left plantar fascia injury management

Michael Porter Jr., out – right ankle sprain

Drake Powell, out – left knee injury management

De’Ron Sharp, out – torn left thumb UCL

NEW YORK — In the visitors’ locker room at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams called attention to the massive smile on Jared McCain’s face.

“He’s so happy,” Williams said.

Williams addressed McCain directly: “What are you so happy about?”

“We won!” McCain said.

Oklahoma City had just eked out a 103-100 victory against the New York Knicks, improving to a league-best 49-15. It had also improved to 9-3 since acquiring McCain from the Philadelphia 76ers, despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missing nine of those games and Williams missing 10.

“Oh, you played in Philly, you’re not used to that shit,” Williams said.

“What do you mean?” McCain responded. “They’re like sixth in the East.”

The truth is that McCain is as cheerful a character as you’ll find in the NBA. Regardless of the situation he’s in, he tries to “turn it into a positive,” he told me. And in his first month with the Thunder, the reigning NBA champions, there was a lot to smile about.

McCain has played 12 games for his new team, and he has scored at least 20 points in three of them. The 6-foot-3 guard has averaged 11.9 points in 19.2 minutes per game on 47/41/90 shooting splits, flying off screens and knocking down midrange jumpers and 3s with the same pep in his step that he had before his knee injury last season, at which point he was the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year.

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To be clear, McCain never wanted to leave the Sixers. He was “completely blindsided” by the trade, he said. He is “really grateful,” though, to have landed with Oklahoma City for a number of reasons.

McCain loves the way that the Thunder play. “This offense is amazing,” he said, praising the team’s collective chemistry and unselfishness. He loves playing off Isaiah Hartenstein, the big man Gilgeous-Alexander described as a “dream” to play with after just two regular-season games last season.

“It’s being able to find where I want the ball but also find my man after he passes the ball, when he drops the passes,” McCain said. “Or being able to just pitch it and then come off. Just that little bit of space is all a shooter needs to get something off. And if I got a little bit of an advantage, I know I can either get to the bump mid or get to a 3.”

He loves the way that coach Mark Daigneault thinks. Anyone who has been around the team has heard Daigneault talk about being present, having a 0-0 mindset and resilience being a muscle you can build. McCain is a devoted re-reader of “The Inner Game of Tennis” — when I mentioned the book, he showed me the copy he had in his bag — and has practiced meditation and visualization since he was in high school. 

“When you can mesh like that with a coach, it’s really awesome,” McCain said, recalling his first meeting with Daigneault and general manager Sam Presti before the 2024 draft.

“Being able to just talk to them about, ‘How is Shai so good?’ It was process-oriented, the daily habits,” McCain said. “It’s the consistency, the discipline. That’s all stuff that I love. I love that ‘Atomic Habits,’ the ‘1% Better,’ the do one thing, get really good at it, then focus on the next thing. It’s been really cool to just have conversations with them, get to know ’em, because it’s the same mindset I have.”

Early in McCain’s sixth game with the Thunder, he ran a throw-and-go with Hartenstein, drove baseline, kicked the ball out to Cason Wallace and then relocated for an open 3. If one possession demonstrates his promise, it’s this one. He is a threat with the ball in his hands and can be an even bigger threat when he gets rid of the ball.

For all of the people who started launching deep 3s because of Stephen Curry, few NBA players have tried to blend off-the-dribble shooting with off-ball movement the way he does. McCain said that, because he idolized and studied Curry — and because he played next to elite ballhandlers at Centennial High School and Duke — he has always tried to get involved in the game through movement, rather than “just standing in the corner waiting for something to happen.” He knew, coming into the NBA, that this would make him stand out. He also knew that, as a defender, your instinct is to relax when the guy you’re guarding makes a pass.

“You stop and you look at the ball,” McCain said. “You’re taught that. It’s basically once your guy gets in the paint and he passes the ball out, you can kind of be in help. But once you’re able to just get back out quick and take those backpedal shots or get-out-quick shots, those are the ones that are some of my favorites.”

With not only Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams but guard Ajay Mitchell sidelined when he arrived, McCain has given OKC a timely spark. Daigneault said that McCain has played his game with confidence while having respect for the Thunder’s continuity and what they’ve accomplished.

“That’s a very fine needle to thread,” Daigneault said. “The last guys that did that well were Hartenstein and Alex [Caruso], but they did it in the preseason with a build-up. And they’re veteran players. It’s a huge testament to him. He’s found that balance right off the bat. He’s earned a lot of respect from everybody because of that.”

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Daigneault also said, though, that it would have been fine if McCain had gotten off to a rough start. “You don’t know, when you trade for a guy, how they’re going to integrate,” he said. For the Thunder, this has been a process of “discovery” — they’re not trying to fit him into a specific role, but letting his role emerge naturally.

“We’re just kind of like throwing him out there,” Daigneault said, “and telling him to play inside the team and telling him kind of the non-negotiable things, the fundamental things that everybody has to do. And then give him a level of breathing room around that to figure out how to play, have his teammates figure out how he can play with them.”

As challenging as it is to drop everything, move to a different city and try to adapt to a new team in the middle of a season, there can be something psychologically freeing about being traded. For McCain, there has been a lot to learn, but there has been no expectation that he would pick it all up immediately. This environment, so far, has been ideal.

“They allow me to be myself,” McCain said. 

Before the trade, McCain did not always feel or look like himself on the court this season. Coming off a torn UCL in his right thumb and a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee, he tried to shake off almost a year’s worth of rust on a team that was winning games and had a much more crowded backcourt than it did before he got hurt. 

On the first anniversary of his 34-point game as a rookie, he shot 3 for 10 in his first G League game. There were some encouraging moments — he caught fire in a back-to-back against Charlotte and Milwaukee in late January — but, in 37 games for the Sixers, he averaged just 6.6 points on 50.6% true shooting.   

“I have nothing bad to say about none of the teammates, none of the coaches, but it’s just hard to find a rhythm playing with really great players and getting little short spurts,” McCain said. “There were a few games, for sure, that I felt great. I feel like those were the ones where I got to play a little extended minutes, play through some mistakes.”

McCain said it’s “nobody’s fault” that he didn’t consistently find his form in Philly. “I knew it was going to take time,” he said. “It’s even still taking time. I feel great right now, but sometimes, you know, some days are better than others.”

With Tyrese Maxey playing at an All-NBA level and rookie VJ Edgecombe looking like a star in the making, McCain “wasn’t thinking about a trade at all,” he said. He was confident that his opportunities would come and that he could grow alongside them.

“I definitely thought it could work,” McCain said. “Long-term, I definitely think it could work. I loved playing with them. It was really fun. And I’m going to miss it, too. So I think there was definitely potential there, but they made the best decision for what they thought it was and we’ve just gotta live with it and kind of move on.”

Philadelphia sent him to Oklahoma City for a first-round pick and two seconds. He is aware that a large portion of the Sixers’ fanbase was upset. In the moment, he was too.

“I’m right there with the fans,” McCain said. “I was scared, man. I didn’t know. I was emotional with it, it was a lot going on and it was hard to process. So I’m forever still grateful for Philly. It’s always hard. Like, you don’t get to say goodbye. It’s really like a breakup.”

The call from Sixers general manager Daryl Morey was to the point. Afterward, he flew with the rest of the team from San Francisco to Los Angeles as scheduled, shedding tears as he got on the plane. While everybody else had a game against the Los Angeles Lakers the next day, he flew from L.A. to OKC. 

“They call you and it’s just so, like, cold, almost,” McCain said. “It’s like, damn. They drafted me. It just feels like it just ended so quickly. The call that you get traded is, like, ‘Hey, we just traded you,’ and that’s kind of it. So it’s really, it’s almost sad. It’s really sad. It really is sad. Like, I’m an emotional person. I really, like, I love all those people over there, like the staff, like the medical staff, the coaching staff. The teammates, like, those are like my brothers. I really looked up to a lot of ’em and hung out with all of ’em. It’s sad that you don’t see ’em every day.”

At a press conference the day after the trade deadline, Morey called McCain “a great future bet and a potential great player,” but also said that he thought the team was “selling high” and was better off with the draft picks, which he described as more than a typical return for a starter-level player on a good team. Morey’s transparency only amplified the discussion around the deal, which basically boiled down to how to properly value a player who was about to turn 22.

“It’s really weird sometimes, like, hearing people talk about what you’re ‘worth,'” McCain said. “And it’s because I’m really, you know — there’s a human aspect to it that a lot of people skip over. So hearing stuff that he said in the media, it’s like, ‘Damn. Is that how you really felt?’ ‘Cause I feel like I treated everybody with respect and love. So it’s definitely tough to hear sometimes, but you gotta understand it’s a business and they’re doing what they feel is best.”

McCain described the trade as sad, weird and emotional, but the whirlwind of it all can also be funny. He remembers being “kicked off” Philadelphia’s team-run group chat “pretty immediately.” He needed Gilgeous-Alexander’s help to get into the practice facility in Oklahoma City because he wasn’t set up in the security system yet, as documented on his vlog. He thinks he still has a few black jerseys in the Sixers’ practice facility. At some point, he’ll put away a bunch of Philly gear in his new attic.

“I just moved into my new place and I don’t even know where stuff is right now,” McCain said. “My mom moved me in. I’m going back to the house for the first time. This will be the first time, tonight, when we get back. It’s a lot of stuff that’s very humorous.”

Right after the trade, Kyle Lowry told McCain, “This is supposed to happen.” Seventeen years ago, the Memphis Grizzlies traded Lowry to the Houston Rockets for a first-round pick, having drafted Mike Conley to play his position the previous summer. (Ironically, Morey was the buyer in that transaction.)

“He knows how hard I work, and he just told me, ‘Go do your thing,'” McCain said. “And he’s always there for me if I need him. Really, anybody on that team, like, if I call ’em, I know they’ll be there: Tyrese, Jo, PG, VJ. All of ’em, man. They really helped me. And VJ just called me like two days ago to just talk.”

McCain is looking forward to playing against his former team in Philadelphia on March 23. “I love Philly to death,” he said, “and I’m excited to go back in later March, just to feel the vibes and see all the people again and just say a proper goodbye.” 

Right now, though, he’s doing his best to stay present with the Thunder. “When you take a step back and just kind of look at everything going on, it’s all for good,” he said. “It’s all going to be positive and work out for me.” He’s still getting himself situated in OKC, but he couldn’t be more comfortable with how things are going.

“I’ve loved every moment of it,” McCain said.

ATLANTA – At the end of a close game, sometimes you just need your star player to take the lead. Jalen Johnson, who has been a star for the Atlanta Hawks all year, came on late in the fourth quarter to lead his team to a 125-116 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

It started with a three-pointer midway through the fourth that gave the Hawks their largest lead of the game, eight points. Down the stretch, he drove past Kelly Oubre Jr. and dunked over him and Dominic Barlow.

Jalen taking over in the fourth 💥 pic.twitter.com/Yq3bMvDKC1

– Atlanta HaWWWWWWWks (@ATLHawks) 8 March 2026

With less than two minutes left, Adem Bona became his next victim, as he went behind him and got to the rim to complete a one-handed dunk.

Jalen Johnson y’all pic.twitter.com/UbOitpTQPm

– Atlanta HaWWWWWWWks (@ATLHawks) 8 March 2026

After every one of those shots, he made sure to let the crowd – and the 76ers – know that he kicked it up a notch. The younger generation can call it aura farming. Some people would even say that he was locked in that part. As for Johnson, he says this is nothing new for him, and it led to him finishing with 35 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

“I feel like I’m always off,” Johnson told reporters after the game. “Obviously, when the pace is up, you come in and you’re running. There are a lot more emotions going on than at the beginning of the game. So maybe the emotional part of it feels more like a trap.”

Johnson has shown what he can do in these moments at the end of games. Whether it’s hitting a clutch jump shot, making the perfect pass, or outrunning the opposition, he knows how to break down defenses using his skills.

“He’s making the right play, and sometimes the right play is hitting Dyson a little bit [Daniels]. Sometimes it’s just coming to the rim. And sometimes when people are messing with you it takes your jumper. I think he did all those things, and he did them really skillfully. I think it’s one of his best games,” Quin Snyder said.

Even his colleagues were impressed by his work.

“It was amazing,” Nichelle Alexander-Walker said. “Just aggression, he played with determination. Going downhill, didn’t calm down. It was very timely and at a time when we needed it. He just kept rolling, and we were all behind him.”

The Hawks didn’t get off to a good start and had to prepare to get to that point. They surrendered 73 points and committed 19 turnovers in the first half. The second half was completely different, as they held the 76ers to 43 points and turned the ball over 10 times.

“It was about taking people out of their rhythm,” Alexander-Walker said. “We’ve worked up to this point to become a better team competitively and just defensively. I thought we took a step back in the first half, but then we made up for it quickly, and we were able to adjust right away.”

“It was a good halftime,” Johnson said. “Guys talked, and we knew we’d eventually get on our run. We came out of the gate, and we came out aggressive and swinging. We laid the tone in those first few minutes of the third quarter for how the rest of the game was going to be.”

Once the Hawks found their rhythm in the fourth, the ball was passed to Johnson and out of the way. Unfortunately, the 76ers didn’t get the memo.

“I just knew what to expect from them, being an aggressive defensive team, and I tried to match that as best I could and let things fall in there,” Johnson said.

With this win, the Hawks have won six games in a row, and have an opportunity to extend that streak next week with the Dallas Mavericks.

The Atlanta Hawks achieved a franchise milestone after a 125-116 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.

Atlanta has been an active franchise for 77 seasons since its inaugural campaign in 1949. He has experienced many victories throughout his lifetime so far, making 49 playoff appearances and even winning a championship.

All those wins allowed him to reach the peak of 3,000 wins, needing one more win to reach this milestone. Only five other teams have accomplished this feat, making it even more significant when Atlanta defeated Philadelphia to clinch the home win and make history.

“Tonight’s win, Atlanta’s season-best sixth consecutive win, marks the Hawks’ 3,000th franchise win, becoming the sixth team in NBA history with 3,000 wins,” the post read.

How the Hawks played against the 76ers

The Hawks took care of business and continued their active winning streak after defeating the 76ers.

Atlanta got off to a slow start defensively and trailed 38–28 after the first quarter. Despite this, the hosts got back on track by taking control in the second half and outscoring Philadelphia 59–43 in the final 24 minutes of regulation.

Five players scored in double figures for Atlanta in the win. Jalen Johnson demolished Philadelphia’s defense with a stat line of 35 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. He made 12 of 19 shots from the field, including 2 of 4 from beyond the arc and 9 of 9 from the free-throw line. Nickeil Alexander-Walker came next with 24 points and six assists, CJ McCollum had 17 points and seven assists, while Dyson Daniels put up 15 points and nine rebounds. Meanwhile, Onyeka Okongwu provided 10 points and six rebounds.

Atlanta improved to a 33–31 record on the season and finished ninth in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks while trailing the 76ers and Miami Heat.

Riding a six-consecutive win streak, the Hawks will be looking forward to their next contest. They will be at home when they host the Dallas Mavericks on March 10 at 7:30 pm ET.

The Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers will play on Saturday night, however, Jonathan Kuminga is listed on the injury report. So, is Kuminga playing tonight against the 76ers?

Kuminga has battled injuries this season, but recently made his debut with the Hawks. Overall, he has played three games with Atlanta since transferring from the Golden State Warriors to the Hawks before the deadline in February.

Everything we know about Jonathan Kuminga’s injury status for tonight’s game vs. the 76ers.

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Jonathan Kuminga’s injury status vs. 76ers

According to the NBA injury report, Kuminga is listed as questionable due to left knee inflammation.

The 32-31 Hawks are ninth in the Eastern Conference standings, while the 76ers are 34-28 and in sixth place in the conference. Saturday night’s matchup should be a competitive affair between the Eastern Conference teams. Kuminga’s final injury status will go a long way in determining the outcome of the game.

As far as the question of whether Jonathan Kuminga is playing tonight against the 76ers, the answer is probably.

hawks injury report

The Hawks have four players listed on the injury report.

• Jonathan Kuminga (left knee inflammation): doubtful
• Raze Dennis (G League Two-Way): Questionable
• Keyshawn Gilbert (G League Two-Way): Questionable
• Asa Newell (G League on assignment): Questionable

76ers injury report

The 76ers have five players listed on the injury report.

• Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee injury recovery brace): Available
• VJ Edgecombe (lumbar injury): doubtful
• Joel Embiid (right oblique strain): out
• Jonny Broom (recovering from right knee surgery): Out
• Paul George (League suspension): Out

Oklahoma City Thunder veteran Alex Caruso addressed Jared McCann’s impact in his first 12 games with his new team, and explained why he is a better fit for the defending champions than the Philadelphia 76ers. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault discusses what he has learned about McCann during his first dozen games.

Caruso gave the most credit to the Thunder front office, trade for McCain is ahead of this year’s deadline, he said, according to The Young Man and the Three podcast.

“For us, we do what we do as players, but the front office, as far as the fit, that’s probably the biggest compliment they can give me,” Caruso said. “The way Jared plays is like a mini I-Joe, like Isaiah Joe Light, not like the same player, but coming from the same movements, but the way they’re able to use their skill sets to shoot and move.”

Alex Caruso used an example from the Thunder’s 121–113 win against the Cleveland Cavs, where McCann drove to the rim, passed the ball to Joe before shifting to the corner for a deep three. For Caruso, it’s that style of play if the 76ers didn’t run their offense through McCann.

“I don’t think Philly played that way,” Caruso said. “I think they’re a lot more traditional because of Joel [Emiid]And, of course, Tyrese [Maxey] Very much on the ball. But for us, it is like freedom of movement. An open man is a right man. I think it benefits his game.”

“He’s playing the right way.” – Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein talk about why Jared McCann has fit in so easily with the OKC Thunder 🚨 New Thunder YM3 Out Now Everywhere 🚨 pic.twitter.com/epcOgO84l6

-TheOldManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) 6 March 2026

McCain is averaging 11.8 points on 41.5% shooting, including 39.5% from deep, and 2.2 rebounds per game with the Thunder.

Mark Daigneault on learning about Thunder’s Jared McCain

The apparent departure of 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey to the Thunder’s Jared McCann ended the second-year guard’s tenure, and marked a new start with the defending champions. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault discussed McCann’s fitness after practice on Friday and told reporters how he has learned about his game so far.

“His shooting ability. He’s a guy you have to make runs off the line, which opens up some of those drives. I didn’t know his game well, especially that part of his game — those mid-range games show his strength,” Daigneault said. “He’s going downhill, and he’s able to absorb contact and rise up and shoot a balanced rhythm shot, which is harder than it looks. He makes it look easier than it is. So, he’s done a great job.”

Daigneault and the Thunder will host the Warriors on Saturday at Paycom Center.

Progress is a word that Victor Wembanyama hasn’t been shy about applying since joining the San Antonio Spurs. Over the course of his first two-plus seasons with the franchise, the generational talent has used the term in aspirational contexts. Following the loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Wembey has now noted his team’s progress twice in the past week.

“It definitely shows progress. Shows we’re on a mission.”

Short and to the point…

“It definitely shows progress. It shows we’re on a mission”⬇️

-Victor Wembanyama What did it show about #spurs Note that he ended the rodeo trip while taking care of business in Philly

Coverage offered by Superior Tax Service https://t.co/1G1OdKyw22 pic.twitter.com/9PaKPnuiwv

– Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) 4 March 2026

Spurs suffered their most lopsided defeat of the season with their biggest landslide. In a 114–89 loss to the New York Knicks, San Antonio lost an early lead by the end of the first quarter and never recovered. Two days later in Philly, they held a seven-point advantage after the first quarter, taking a 131–91 lead.

Asked about controlling the entire game, Wembanyama replied, “Yeah, it was good.”

Victor Wembanyama details Spurs’ progress

The 40-point win in the City of Brotherly Love statistically proved to be a pedestrian game for Wembley. Averaging 23.4 points per game this season, he took only five shots and scored only 10. Devin Vassell and Dylan Harper led the team with 22 points, with eight Spurs scoring in double figures.

“Definitely. My role is to make sure they continue to get these benefits,” Wembanyama said. “It means keep rolling, keep hitting the screen until the opponent decides to do something, which they didn’t do. So, please let them enjoy.”

“The key in scoring was making quick passes,” the 2023 top overall NBA draft pick continued. “I think early in the game, we made it a little tough on ourselves by dribbling too much once or twice while penetrating. I think once we made the early passes, we got our shooters open. They (the 76ers) were falling a lot, so we were able to hit some shots.”

Although Philadelphia is sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, they were missing superstars Joel Embiid and Paul George.

Wembley declared, “No game is perfect and the spots on offense are never as good as we see in victory; never as bad as we see in defeat. But it was a great reaction.”

The Spurs finished their annual Rodeo road trip with a 6-1 mark, 8-1 if you include the two “home” games in Austin. It’s a stretch the French phenom alluded to recently as he demonstrated the consistency the team hasn’t shown at the beginning of the year. An 11-game winning streak that began with their first game in February and ended with their last contest of the month has carried the Silver and Black to such an extent that they have won 13 out of 15 games.

When asked how the team found the energy to pull off such an emphatic win at the end of a long journey, Wembanyama found his answer.

“I don’t know. I was feeling very good for the game. I was feeling very confident about us. I don’t know where it came from.”

However, it seems Wembley has an idea of ​​where Spurs could go.

Victor Wembanyama sent a clear message on the unique situation of the San Antonio Spurs after Tuesday night’s emphatic 131-91 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Vembanayama did not need much time to strengthen Philadelphia’s defense. In 24 minutes of action, he finished with a stat line of 10 points, eight rebounds, six blocks, four assists and three steals. He shot 3 of 5 from the field, including 1 of 5 from beyond the arc, and 3 of 5 from the free-throw line.

Vembanyama reflected on the victory after the game. Enjoying a strong campaign for San Antonio, the young superstar center sent a bold message about the team’s quality compared to the rest of the league.

“When we play like this as a team, I think we’re the best team in the world,” Wembanyama said.

“When we play like this as a team, I think we’re the best team in the world.”

Victor Wembanyama after Spurs’ 40-point win over the Sixers 🗣️

(via @NBAonNBC)

pic.twitter.com/JPtz4DzV37

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 4 March 2026

Victor Wembanyama, how the Spurs played against the 76ers

Victor Wembanyama continues to stake his claim as one of the best superstars in the league. Furthermore, the Spurs have made serious progress as playoff contenders, their blowout win over the 76ers being another example.

The game started out close as San Antonio led only 32–25 after the first quarter. Despite this, the Spurs took a dominant lead in the second and third periods with an 81–39 performance and never looked back.

Eight players scored in double figures for San Antonio in the win, including Wembanyama. Devin Vassell led the team with 22 points, five rebounds, two steals, one assist and one block. He made 7 of 10 shots overall, including 6 of 8 from downtown. Dylan Harper came next with 22 points and two assists, Stephon Cassel had 15 points and 10 assists, Keldon Johnson added 12 points and nine rebounds, while De’Aaron Fox and Carter Bryant each provided 11 points apiece.

San Antonio improved to a 44–17 record on the season and finished second in the Western Conference standings. They are 5.5 games above the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves while three games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Spurs will remain at home awaiting their next matchup. They will host the Detroit Pistons as tip-off takes place on March 5 at 8 pm ET.

The NBA decided to move back completely to Tuesday night’s broadcast of the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers clash. NBC decided to use the aesthetic and sound of their old NBA broadcasts, and they had veteran commentators on the call including former head coaches Doug Collins and Mike Fratello, as well as play-by-play maestro Bob Costas.

Although the game, in the end, was not very competitive anyway, it at least created a sense of novelty that millions of fans connected with. There is nothing more nostalgic than listening to the old NBA on NBC theme while watching the broadcast team use retro graphics, as this has made many fans feel as if they are more in touch with their inner child than ever before.

The NBA on NBC is airing a rerun of tonight’s game between the Spurs and Sixers in Philly.

Bob Costas, Doug Collins and Mike Fratello are on the call. pic.twitter.com/XwWtt9I979

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 4 March 2026

“Loved the old school NBA graphics on NBC tonight. Also, Mike Fratello may be the most underappreciated analyst of my time. Dude is always hilarious,” wrote X user @jimmytraina.

@21stCenturyTim said, “The throwback NBC score bug is beautiful. Memo to every network, every game: This is all we need.”

The throwback NBC score bug is pretty cute.
Memos for every network, every game: That’s all we need. pic.twitter.com/HjMFA9sdJ9

– Tim Roberts (@21stCenturyTim) 4 March 2026

@GershOnline added, “NBC has completely recreated the graphics package from the original NBA on NBC. It’s throwback telecast artistry.”

NBC has completely acquired the graphics package from the original NBA on NBC.

This is throwback telecast artistry. pic.twitter.com/Zy1fM2UFGR

– Gershon Rabinowitz (@GershOnline) 4 March 2026

Fans mock 76ers for blowout vs. Spurs on NBC Throwback Night

The 76ers were missing Joel Embiid and Paul George in Tuesday night’s contest against the Spurs, and they also lost VJ Edgecombe to an injury during the game. Still, they couldn’t hold a candle to the Spurs, as San Antonio, at the time of writing, led by nearly 50 points – much to the dismay of fans.

“The Sixers should never have been allowed on national TV,” @kukblue1 wrote.

@TommyUndersSGS said, “I’m so glad they decided to air the Sixers game tonight on NBC. Keeping it nice and close.. only under 40.”

“NBC launched some old school NBA on NBC talent like Bob Costas, Mike Fratello, Doug Collins and Jim Gray for a Throwback Tuesday experience for the Spurs and Sixers to totally suck the game out. Thanks for coming to work today Philly ???,” @kensgotbs continued.

The Boston Celtics are preparing to host their rival Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night, and while Philadelphia big man Joel Embiid will not be in the lineup, it is unlikely to be an easy night for the home team. The Sixers have won three straight games and are attempting to move up from sixth place in the Eastern Conference. They are 1 1/2 games behind the fifth-place Toronto Raptors and three games behind the fourth-place Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Sixers will not have Embiid in the lineup because he suffered an oblique injury in Thursday night’s win over the Miami Heat. Embiid will miss at least three games due to injury. The Sixers’ big players have been troubled by several injuries throughout their career. Missing a key game against the Celtics as well as the team’s next two games against the San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz is a significant issue for Philadelphia.

Teammate Andre Drummond has a lot of sympathy for Embiid and wants the big man to find a way to avoid injuries and stay healthy. “I want to wrap her in a bubble sheet and hug her, man,” Drummond said, according to Gina Mizell. philadelphia enquirer. “I feel like he can’t get a break.”

Embiid has faced health issues throughout his career. This oblique injury appears to be relatively minor, but missing at least three games at this time of year is a huge blow to him and his teammates.

The Miami Heat will try to beat the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday without their top scorer, as Norman Powell was forced to exit early with a groin injury.

Powell, who was a late addition to the injury report, finished with three points on 1-5 shooting, three rebounds and two assists.

According to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, the 32-year-old Powell was bothered by a groin injury before the game, but decided to recover anyway.

“Norman Powell (right groin strain) is treated for the rest of the night. He was questionable with a groin problem and tried to play through it, but his night was over after 11 minutes,” Chiang wrote on the X.

The Heat will have to be more creative offensively to fill the void left by Powell, who is averaging 22.9 points on 47.5% shooting.

It would be a huge blow to Miami if Powell is sidelined for an extended period of time, especially as the playoffs approach.

Powell is having the best year of his career, earning his first nod to the All-Star Game and the Heat were right to sign him in the offseason. Many were confused as to why the Los Angeles Clippers let him walk after a breakout season.

If he remains out in the coming days, the Heat have enough depth to cover him. Tyler Herro’s recent return from a rib injury was also timely.

At the time of writing, the Heat are trailing the 76ers by a slim margin in the fourth quarter.

The Miami Heat put forth a great effort in the second half, but ultimately failed to get the job done and lost 124-117 to the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday.

The Heat came back from a 16-point deficit at halftime to take an 81–80 lead midway through the third quarter. The 76ers took control of the game before the Heat once again took the driver’s seat 117–116 with only 2:44 left in the final frame.

But that was the last time he scored, as Philadelphia escaped with a hard-fought victory.

As for Bam Adebayo, it was clear that he doomed himself with his poor performance in the first half.

“We didn’t play hard enough,” Adebayo said, as quoted by Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.

“We didn’t work hard enough, brother. I mean, I don’t know how to explain effort.”

It was not clear whether Adebayo, 28, was upset or frustrated, but it seemed as if he wanted to sound the alarm. He has always been vocal and accountable after a loss, knowing that he is the leader of the team.

The Heat, who lost 31–29, lost Norman Powell in the first half with a groin injury.

They allowed the 76ers to score 73 points in the first half, as Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Kelly Oubre Jr. were on the offensive end.

Overall, Philadelphia shot 48% from the field and scored 50 points in the paint.

Adebayo had 29 points on 10 of 20 shooting, 14 rebounds and three assists. Tyler Herro added 25 points, four rebounds and seven assists off the bench.

The Philadelphia 76ers (32-26) host the Miami Heat (31-28) on Thursday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena. They come into this game coming off wins against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers, and will look to build on their recent momentum.

According to the official injury report, Joel Embiid, who starred in the game against Indiana, is listed as probable as he manages the recovery of his right knee and right calf soreness. The Sixers will already be without Paul George due to the league suspension, making Embiid’s presence vital despite the Miami Heat themselves dealing with a tall bill of injuries.

The Heat lost against the Milwaukee Bucks in their latest encounter but have managed three wins in their last four games.

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joel embiid injury status vs heat

Embiid can be expected to suit up for an important game for Philadelphia. Embiid recently returned to the floor after missing five consecutive games, posting 27 points, six rebounds and five assists on 11-17 shooting.

The Sixers currently hold the No. 6 seed in the East (the last guaranteed playoff spot), just 1.5 games ahead of the No. 8 seed Heat. Miami won the first meeting in November, meaning a Heat win tonight would clinch the crucial head-to-head tiebreaker for the season series.

In addition to Paul George, who is suspended, the 76ers are confirmed to miss Johnny Brown and Kelly Oubre Jr. for this game, while Marjan Beauchamp is listed as questionable. In comparison, the Heat’s concerns are bigger.

76ers injury report

Joel Embiid: Probable (right knee; injury management/right calf soreness)

Paul George: out (league suspension)

Johnny Broom: Out (right knee; meniscus tear)

Marjan Beauchamp: Doubtful (G League – Two-Way)

Kelly Oubre Jr.: Available (left knee; recovering from injury – brace)

heat injury report

Davion Mitchell: doubtful (head; illness)

Terry Rozier: Out (not with team)

Nikola Jovic: Out (lower back; injury management)

Tyler Herro: Available (right costochondral; rib injury)

Keshad Johnson: Available (left knee, soreness)

Pelle Larsson: available (left third mallet; finger)

Norman Powell: Available (lower back stiffness)

Drew Smith: Available (left calf; soreness)

Andrew Wiggins: Available (left toe, inflammation)

The Philadelphia 76ers will visit the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night. Joel Embiid is listed as questionable on the NBA’s official injury report. Embiid is dealing with right knee injury management and right calf soreness after missing the team’s last five games.

Of course, injuries have been rampant in the NBA and while the 76ers have had to deal with several big absences, including Paul George’s suspension, the Pacers have had availability issues. Tyrese Haliburton’s absence is further complicated by Pascal Siakam potentially missing the game due to a left wrist injury, according to the official injury report, with several players confirmed to be out for last year’s finalists.

joel embiid injury status vs pacers

Joel Embiid’s status will likely be a game-time decision. Currently sitting at 31-26, the Sixers are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

They recently snapped a four-game skid with a dominant 135-108 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, fueled by Tyrese Maxey’s 39 points and a season-best 56.8% shooting performance from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Pacers (15-43) are trying to snap a three-game home losing streak after a tough 134-130 loss to Dallas, despite Pascal Siakam’s 30 points.

When healthy, Embiid is as effective as ever. The former MVP is averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, while shooting 49.4% from the field.

He has also performed historically well against Indiana, averaging 31 points and 11 assists in 22 career games against them, his highest scoring average against any Eastern Conference opponent. Joel Embiid played in the Sixers’ last meeting against the Pacers this season on January 19 in Philadelphia and scored a game-high 30 points.

76ers injury report

Joel Embiid: Questionable (right knee injury management/right calf soreness).

Marjan Beauchamp: Doubtful (G League – Two-Way)

Paul George: out (league suspension)

Jonny Broom: Out (right knee meniscus tear)

pacers injury report

Micah Potter: Probable (left ankle sprain)

Kam Jones: Questionable (lower back pain)

TJ McConnell: Questionable (right hamstring soreness)

Andrew Nembhard: Questionable (lower back injury management)

Quenton Jackson: Questionable (G League – Two-Way)

Talon Peter: Questionable (G League – Two-Way)

Ethan Thompson: Questionable (G League – Two-Way)

Pascal Siakam: Questionable (left wrist sprain)

Jonny Furphy: Out (right ACL tear)

Tyrese Haliburton: Out (ruptured right Achilles tendon)

Aaron Nesmith: Out (right ankle sprain)

Obi Toppin: Out (stress fracture of right foot)

Ivica Zubac: Out (sprained left ankle)

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCann cried when Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey traded him. The news came as a shock to the second-year guard, who celebrated his 22nd birthday in a city he never thought he’d call home. Still, McCann has shined since joining the Thunder. Amidst an increased role due to a plethora of injuries, he has been a constant source of inspiration off coach Mark Daigneault’s bench.

McCann is averaging 14.0 points on 50.0% shooting, including 50% from deep on 9 of 18 attempts, along with 3.5 rebounds in 21.2 minutes over his last four games with the Thunder. He scored 10 points to go along with a season-high 21 points in a 105-86 win against the Brooklyn Nets, including a pair of threes, three rebounds and a steal in Sunday’s 121-113 win against the Cleveland Cavs.

Without All-Stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell and Alex Caruso, Isaiah Joe joined the Thunder’s starting lineup, while McCann and Jaylin Williams combined to lead the bench with 20 points. Against a healthy Cavs team led by All-Stars Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and James Harden, Joe’s 22 points, including six threes and a career-high five steals, led the Thunder to victory.

After the win, Joe explained how the addition of McCann has opened up creative opportunities for the Thunder’s offense, which is finding ways to win without three of its top four scorers.

“It puts the defense in a dilemma whether to help or not, and it kind of creates driving lanes, even when they went box-and-1, and they made that run, we were still getting really good looks,” Joe said. “I think Lou got some wide-open shots – Jay-Will, Chet. The shots didn’t fall, but given that severity, we just try to find ways to either get looks, take shots, and a lot of times it creates opportunities for other guys, and creates other opportunities for everybody else.”

Joe is 33 of 65 (50.8%) from deep in February, including 18 of 31 in his last four games. The Thunder have won four of their last five tries without Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Mitchell. Meanwhile, the Sixers are leading 1-4.

Jared McCann felt ‘all the emotions’ after trade with Thunder

76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey was confident about trading Jared McCann to the Thunder for a 2026 first-round pick and two future second-round picks. While the 76ers had a bit of a logjam at the guard position, as rookie VJ Edgecombe took over a dominant role over McCann, many fans felt it was too early to give up on the second-year guard.

Moray felt differently and wasn’t afraid to say itAs they did, according to NBC Sports Philly.

Morey said, “I’m pretty confident we were selling high. Obviously, time will tell, but the only other high point, and we weren’t looking to sell, I would say frankly.” “Teams came to us with aggressive offers for him, and you can say, yes, it’s because he’s a good player. I agree with that. We thought this return was above what we could have gotten, for the future value to our franchise. So the only high point would have been his performance last season. But otherwise, we think we’ve done well this time.”

“I’m pretty sure we were selling high” 😐

Daryl Morey explains why the Sixers pulled the trigger on trading the No. 16 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Jared McCann. pic.twitter.com/DM6qJyzmPk

– NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) 6 February 2026

McCain couldn’t believe it. He revealed how he found out about his trading days after the deal was made.

“We were all on the bus to the airport, and I just got a call. I had no idea. I honestly didn’t think it was going to happen. There was nothing, and I got the call, and just went and told everybody. I went to Tyrese [Maxey] First of all, and it was very emotional,” McCain said.

However, his confidence never wavered after the 76ers said a hollow goodbye to Daryl Morey after trading McCann before this year’s deadline.

McCain said, “I allow myself to feel all the emotions. It’s natural. Give myself grace through the process.” “But you move fast. I got to L.A. and then had to come straight here. It’s a little bit of both. It’s a balance you have to work on.”

The Thunder will travel to face the Raptors on Tuesday.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were without one of their key players against the Philadelphia 76ers at Target Center on Sunday, as running back Naz Reed was out with a shoulder injury.

Reid has been out in recent weeks, and sitting out against the 76ers was a big blow for the Timberwolves, who are looking for their fourth consecutive win.

It is unclear when Reid suffered the shoulder injury. He finished Friday’s 122-111 win against the Dallas Mavericks with 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 30 minutes off the bench.

The 26-year-old Reed has a strong case to win his second Sixth Man of the Year trophy, as he has career averages of 14.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals.

He signed a five-year extension worth $125 million in the offseason.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch has often praised Reed’s work ethic, which has helped him remain competitive in recent years.

“I don’t remember the exact timing, but it was definitely within the first window of the season. I would say he’s started to really, really rebound at a high level and make a lot of those types of plays. Get out and run, rebound, just play with more activity. That’s what’s really gotten him going offensively,” Finch said in a report by Timberwolves reporter Liam Willerup.

In addition to Reed, Minnesota also battled Philadelphia without Rudy Gobert, who served a one-game suspension.

Jon Beringer, Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr. have earned additional minutes without Reed and Gobert.

It is still unclear how long Reid will be out.

The honeymoon phase is officially over for Daryl Morey in the City of Brotherly Love. After Saturday night’s crushing 126-111 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Philadelphia 76ers faithful have been reached breaking point, and the target of their anger isn’t the players; This is the front office.

With Joel Embiid sidelined, the Sixers’ glaring lack of depth was exposed on national television. The Pelicans outscored Philadelphia 60–35 in the second half, turning a competitive game into a farce.

Tyrese Maxey did his best to keep the ship afloat with 27 points and six assists, but he got little help. Outside of Kelly Oubre Jr.’s 18 points, the Roosters looked hollow, especially on the glass, where they were out-rebounded 52-38.

Daryl Morey on Deadline pic.twitter.com/wTOIx01khz

– Alvin Yakitori (@AlvinYakit52962) 22 February 2026

Daryl Morey and Nick Nurse will soon be fired. pic.twitter.com/dZGVnmKV0H

– Sixers Scope (@SixersScope) 22 February 2026

Daryl Morey passes Jared McCann for a late first-rounder pic.twitter.com/ulFLYeTihA

– Kevin Rice (@TheKevinRice) 6 February 2026

Sellout teammates Josh Harris and Daryl Morey have destroyed this city’s basketball spirit pic.twitter.com/LGxxW9rzPG

– Rodney (@lukatroncic23) 22 February 2026

The lack of activity at the trade deadline has become a lightning rod for criticism. Fans took to social media and the Wells Fargo Center stand to voice their disappointment.

“Trill was chanting ‘Fire More’ like he was the Navy,” one fan said on X.

Sixers fans see Jared McCann flourish after Daryl Morey says “I bet we got traded” during trade https://t.co/DtGWXMbame pic.twitter.com/4LqotjmEEb

– Underdog (@underdog) 21 February 2026

Daryl Morey should be tied up in public and beaten until his buttocks are red https://t.co/kWZl7S9wpq

– Adam (@JMurrayWrld) 21 February 2026

Daryl Morey is actually the devil https://t.co/yf4d5VQg1T

– MastaMunsta (@MunstaMasta) 21 February 2026

Trill was doing the “Fire More” chant like it was the Navy https://t.co/H3hclXONhA

– Uncle Cost Fallacy (@NBABAbySecret) 22 February 2026

fire daryl morey

– Josephine (@china3rdbaseman) 22 February 2026

This sentiment was echoed across the board, with fans questioning the job security of both Morey and owner Josh Harris. One viral post said, “It’s really weird how bad Daryl Morey is at his job,” while another frustrated fan asked, “Why isn’t Josh Harris in jail? And why is Daryl Morey still employed?”

The 76ers have now lost four consecutive games, slipping even further down in the Eastern Conference standings. The overall construction of the roster around the aging and frequently injured Embiid is being questioned. If Moray doesn’t find a way to fix the holes in this ship soon, the “Fire Moray” chants will become louder.

In the NBA, veteran leadership usually comes with “welcome to the league” moments, but the New Orleans Pelicans are flipping the script.

After an impressive 126-111 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night, Pelicans rookie Derrick Queen decided to give 17-year veteran DeAndre Jordan a taste of his own medicine. Jordan, who made a rare start after appearing in only two games all season, was in the middle of a postgame interview when Queen “hijacked” the mic with a hilarious flurry.

“So how does it feel to not play since November and get us a win tonight?” Queen joked about the veteran’s 52-game DNP (Did Not Play).

“So how does it feel to lead us to a win tonight after not playing since November?”

Derrick Queen makes jokes while hijacking DeAndre Jordan’s postgame interview

(via @nba)pic.twitter.com/pewzSxQ277

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 22 February 2026

While Queen told jokes, Jordan had the last laugh on the court. With the Pelicans missing several key rotational pieces, head coach James Borrego turned to the 37-year-old center to lead the defense.