Sixers star Paul George is continuing to progress well in his recovery from a bone bruise in his knee, but he will not be available for Philadelphia’s upcoming two-game road trip, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports (Twitter link). The next update on George’s availability will come early next week, per Charania.
Earlier Thursday, head coach Nick Nurse said both George and Joel Embiid were participating in “most of the action” at practice (Twitter link via The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey). The duo did not participate in the five-on-five scrimmages but were doing some live work.
As we previously relayed, the NBA officially launched an investigation into Embiid’s player participation. He has already been ruled out for the first three games of the year. Without George or Embiid in the season opener, the Sixers lost by 15 points to Milwaukee. They next travel to Toronto and Indiana.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- The new-look Knicks were the talk of the offseason after making massive swings by acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges via trade. However, they were defeated by 23 points in the opener against the Celtics, allowing 132 points. According to the New York Post’s Peter Botte, the Knicks are aiming to recovery quickly, starting at the defensive end. “That’s championship-level basketball. For us, it was a punch in the mouth and we gotta respond,” guard Miles McBride said. “Obviously, it’s a long year. Can’t overreact to one game, but I don’t think that’s how you go into a year and set the tone.“
- Bridges acknowledged that the Knicks know they’re a work in progress, according to SNY Knicks (Twitter video link). “It’s not going to be right away,” Bridges said. “It’s going to take time and building. You can be a mediocre, a solid to okay team, but that’s not what we’re striving to be. We have to continue and get better every day.” The Knicks made the second round of the playoffs last year but struggled with injuries through the end of the year.
- Celtics wing Sam Hauser, who played 24 minutes in the season opener and scored 10 points, missed Boston’s Thursday game against the Wizards, observes Spotrac’s Keith Smith (Twitter link). He’s dealing with lower back soreness.
- Neemias Queta made a case for more minutes in the Celtics‘ win over the Wizards on Thursday, Brian Robb of MassLive writes. Queta scored 12 points and seven rebounds in just 14 minutes played, holding his own against Washington’s bigs. As Robb writes, the 25-year-old could help ease Al Horford‘s workload with Kristaps Porzingis sidelined.
Seriously ……. Embiid played in Olympics. He was good there. And left there physically fit. Riiiightt
So why would he be out now. Is this a new scenario.
Not really someone you can count on.
Knicks are a work in progress. And should be contending this year, 1g. Towns, OG, Bridges did not have a good offensive gm. Their team D deserves criticism. Give them half a yr. Settle the Mitch situation. They’ll be good. Patience patience .
Friday night ……. opening night in MSG.
Take it out on the Pacers.
@ Al. Pulling a heart muscle is as serious a injury as lazyitis.
I doubt you can understand what the Knicks have done to my heart. All the bottom years.
I’m not paying for tickets and schlepping down to South Philly for a Sixers game, only to find out that Embiid is not playing.
Hey
Yeah, Embiid and Morey need to do some jail time. Time to get serious. The fine is a slap on the wrist. Take those two to court.
Bring LeBron and friends to court too
@AL. My heart still hasn’t recovered from Knicks 94 and Yankees 2001. Such is life. Yankees in 7 then it’s all about the Knicks since my Giants are Horrible.