Joel Embiid may return from harm sooner than anticipated, with the Philadelphia 76ers star poised to function in Tuesday’s NBA sport in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
The reigning NBA MVP, who has been out of motion with a knee harm since January, is reportedly set to rejoin the 76ers this week, in keeping with The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Philadelphia, who’re 40-35, have fallen down the standings since Embiid’s harm setback, at present eighth within the Japanese Convention with seven video games remaining.
Watch a median of 9 NBA Common Season video games per week LIVE on ESPN, out there through Kayo. New to Kayo? Begin Your Free Trial In the present day >
In the meantime, Devin Booker produced a 52-point masterpiece because the Phoenix Suns eclipsed the New Orleans Pelicans 124-111 on Monday.
Booker boosted Phoenix’s hopes of overtaking New Orleans for an computerized playoff berth with a stunning efficiency on the street on the Pelicans’ Smoothie King Heart.
The Phoenix win — which ensured that the Minnesota Timberwolves have clinched a playoff spot — leaves the Suns only one win behind sixth-placed New Orleans.
As issues stand Phoenix at the moment are 44-31 and on target for the Western Convention play-in match.
Nevertheless, New Orleans (45-30) face a nerve-racking finale to the common season, figuring out that one slip might be deadly.
All 5 of Phoenix’s starters posted double digit factors totals, with Kevin Durant ending with 20 factors, seven rebounds and three assists, and Jusuf Nurkic including 19 factors with 19 rebounds.
Zion Williamson led the New Orleans scoring with 30 factors whereas Trey Murphy added 21.
Elsewhere on Monday, Jayson Tatum and Sam Hauser each scored 25 factors because the Boston Celtics romped previous the Charlotte Hornets 118-104 in North Carolina.
Boston, who’ve already secured prime spot within the Japanese Convention, have been stung by the Hornets in a shock upset defeat earlier this season.
However regardless of trailing early on in Monday’s sport, there was little probability of a repeat defeat after the Celtics reduce unfastened to open up a commanding 19-point benefit within the fourth quarter.
Hauser’s 25-point contribution off the bench included seven three-pointers whereas starters Kristaps Porzingis (20), Derrick White (19) and Al Horford (15) additionally made double figures.
Tatum mentioned Monday’s victory was trigger for encouragement because the playoffs loom into view with lower than a fortnight of the common season remaining.
“Final yr we have been so antsy to get again to the finals, that we had just a few dangerous losses in the previous few weeks of the season,” Tatum mentioned.
“We might have taken some issues with no consideration.
“This yr we’ve accomplished an amazing job of not skipping steps and respecting each sport, daily, attempting to get higher — as cliche as that sounds.”