Philadelphia 76ers

After the Philadelphia 76ers' 116-106 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, rookie guard Jared McCain could not be too upset after playing against his idol, LeBron James, for the first time.

"I feel like I say it every single game; Every game is like a dream come true," McCain said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey. "Obviously, we're trying to win every game and every possession. We're trying to get a stop. But I always look back like five years ago [and] think about what I would have thought [and] how I'm feeling [currently].

McCain was selected by the 76ers with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Duke, where he spent just one season.

He has been averaging 8.0 points per game on 33.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc. During Friday's game, the 20-year-old posted 18 points and two assists, shooting 44.4 percent from beyond the arc, while spending part of his time guarding James on the defensive end.

Jared McCain tonight:

-18 points
-1 rebound
-2 assists
-1 steal
-44% 3pt
-4 3pm

GIVE HIM MINUTES!!! pic.twitter.com/BugnAK3ESZ

— Aidan LaPorta (@AidanLaPorta69) November 9, 2024

"It's insane. I'm on the Philadelphia 76ers, I'm in the NBA and I'm in a possession guarding LeBron James," McCain said, per Pompey. "If I would have told that to my freshman year, high school self, I wouldn't have believed you. It's just crazy to even be in this position."

It is always encouraging to see the fire in young NBA players and their pure excitement for the game while being star-struck by legendary players.

James, 19 years McCain's senior, went the extra mile to offer some words of encouragement for the rookie during Saturday's game.

"He actually recognized my parents were in the crowd," McCain said, per Pompey. "He was like, 'I see them over there. Keep going.' Just cool to see someone — again, each is like someone I've watched for so long, especially him."

The 76ers and McCain will look to grab their second win of the season against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.

A difficult trend seems to have followed Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers to his new team.

Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported that George's lack of availability since joining the Sixers, combined with other star players suffering similar plight, has concerned others around the league and that the team is turning into "Clippers East."

"The Sixers got Paul George and have become the Clippers East for now," a West executive told Windhorst. "They're going to have to hang on during the regular season and just hope to get into the playoffs with their top two guys healthy and try for lightning in a bottle. It was always like that with PG and Kawhi [Leonard]."

George has suited up in just two games in 2024-25, averaging 16.5 points, six rebounds and three assists in those contests. Star center Joel Embiid has yet to play for Philadelphia this season while guard Tyrese Maxey is now expected to "miss weeks" with a right hamstring injury, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

While Embiid is expected to return for Tuesday's NBA Cup matchup against the New York Knicks, the overall lack of availability from the team's stars has contributed to a disappointing 1-6 start to the season. While the roster will look very strong when all three hit the court together, George's five-year tenure with the Clippers proves that may not happen too often.

George suited up in 74 games in 2023-24 but never exceeded 56 games in the four previous seasons. Clipper star forward Kawhi Leonard never suited up in more than 57 games during that period as well, including missing the entire 2021-22 season.

Los Angeles only reached the Conference Finals once during this period and were consistently met with difficult first-round matchups due to finishing with a middle seed. The 76ers could be doomed to a similar fate and could struggle to overtake teams like the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference.

The Philadelphia 76ers have not been able to get rid of the injury bug so far this season, as another key player is reportedly set to be sidelined.

Per ESPN's Shams Charania, Sixers star point guard Tyrese Maxey is expected to miss "a couple of weeks" due to a right hamstring injury.

Charania added that Maxey will undergo a "full evaluation" later on Thursday to determine his recovery timeline, but the Sixers are expected to take a "careful approach" with his injury.

Philadelphia has already been without former NBA MVP Joel Embiid for the start of the 2024-25 season due to left knee injury management and his impending three-game suspension for his altercation with a media member. Star forward Paul George, who signed with the team this past offseason and was expected to create a Big 3 with Embiid and Maxey, was sidelined to start the year after suffering a bone bruise in a preseason game and made his team debut just this week.

Now, the Sixers will have to get used to life without Maxey, who was their most important player while Embiid and George were absent. The 24-year-old is averaging a team-high 27.6 points this season, the only player to average over 20 points per game. Before being limited to 12 points when he exited Wednesday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers early, Maxey had averaged 30.2 points through the first six games of the year, including a 45-point outburst in an overtime win over the Indiana Pacers.

At 1-6, Philadelphia has found itself in an early hole in a year where it was expected to contend for an NBA title. Losing Maxey is another blow to the Sixers, but they will try to get back on track when they meet the Los Angeles Lakers (4-4) on Friday.

Philadelphia 76ers wing Paul George commented Wednesday on some fans booing him upon his return to Los Angeles to play against the Clippers.

Speaking to reporters following a 110-98 loss to his former team, George said:

"It is stupid. I mean, I was a free agent, you know what I mean? It wasn't something that I demanded a trade or went against the team here. I was a free agent. The team presented something that was team friendly, and I did what was best for me in that situation.

"So there were the cheers. I appreciate them. Those were the ones that I played hard for. The boos, I didn't get it. I still don't get it when I go [back] to Indy, but it is what it is. It's sports. I look forward to next year being back here and more boos."

George, 34, spent the past five seasons with the Clippers before signing a four-year, $211.58 million with the Sixers in free agency this past offseason.

During his tenure in L.A., George was a highly productive player, earning three All-Star nods and one All-NBA Third Team selection. He also helped lead the Clippers to their first Western Conference Finals appearance in franchise history in 2021.

The Clippers acquired both George and Kawhi Leonard in the same offseason with hopes of finally reaching the NBA Finals and winning a championship, but the superstar duo was never able to get over the hump.

Injuries were a big reason why, as both George and Leonard missed a significant amount of time during their five-year run together. In fact, George played in 56 or fewer games in each of his first four seasons in Los Angeles.

Last season was the healthiest he had been since 2018-19, playing in 74 games, but it wasn't enough to get the Clips out of the first round of the playoffs.

George missed the start of this season due to a knee injury suffered during the preseason, but he has returned to appear in two contests, averaging 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.5 three-pointers made per contest.

The 76ers have lost each of the two games he has appeared in, however, and they are now a disappointing 1-6, which is tied for the worst record in the NBA.

Philly has missed superstar center Joel Embiid, who has yet to play this season due to knee injury management, but more was still expected out of the team with George and Tyrese Maxey leading the way.

As for the Clippers, they have been something of a pleasant surprise with a 4-4 start despite losing George and Leonard not yet appearing in a game this season due to injury.

They may be a bigger playoff threat than most anticipated, whereas the Sixers have come nowhere close to living up to their status as a championship contender.

George will have a chance to get his first win as a member of the 76ers on Friday when he goes up against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid has not yet played this season because of a left knee condition, and his 2024-25 debut will now be delayed because of a suspension.

The NBA announced Tuesday it suspended Embiid for three games without pay "for shoving a member of the media" following Philadelphia's loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. The suspension will begin "with the next NBA regular-season game for which he is eligible and able to play," according to the league's statement.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Embiid is expected to make his season debut against the New York Knicks in Philadelphia's NBA Cup opener on Nov. 12.

Joel Embiid’s three-game suspension will span Wednesday vs. Clippers, Friday vs. Lakers and Sunday vs. Hornets – meaning the former league MVP is set to make his season debut in NBA Cup opener against the Knicks on Nov. 12 in Philadelphia, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/6uUp2r2qJf

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 6, 2024

ESPN reported on the altercation Saturday and noted Embiid was upset by a column written by Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Inquirer that mentioned the center's son and late brother, both named Arthur.

According to Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice, the column has been edited but initially said the following:

"Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son, Arthur, as the major inflection point in his basketball career. He often says that he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother, who tragically died in an automobile accident when Embiid was in his first year as a 76er. Well, in order to be great at your job, you first have to show up for work. Embiid has been great at just the opposite."

The ESPN report explained Embiid confronted Hayes and said, "The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you are going to see what I'm going to do to you and I'm going to have to ... live with the consequences."

He also rejected an apology, said he didn't care about reporters' opinions, and then raised his voice and eventually pushed Hayes when the columnist responded by saying, "but you do."

The entire interaction came just one day after Embiid expressed his frustration with the narrative that he is actively choosing not to play as he deals with knee concerns:

“When I see people saying, he doesn’t want to play, I’ve done way too much for this city putting myself at risk for people to be saying that. I do think it’s bullshit. Like that dude, he’s not here, Marcus, I’ve done way too much for this fucking city to be treated like this.” pic.twitter.com/n1Z9of1F6v

— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) November 1, 2024

While Embiid played in the 2024 Paris Olympics and helped lead the United States to a gold medal, he has yet to play this season. The NBA investigated the situation and fined the team $100,000 for "inconsistent" public statements regarding his health. But it also determined Embiid has been dealing with an actual knee issue that has prevented him from taking the court.

Still, there has been plenty of focus on Embiid and the 76ers, especially during their 1-5 start to the season. His altercation with Hayes and the ensuing suspension is just the latest development.

"Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA," NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in the announcement. "While we understand Joel was offended by the personal nature of the original version of the reporter's column, interactions must remain professional on both sides and can never turn physical."

The Philadelphia 76ers "truly believed" Joel Embiid would be available for the team's regular-season opener on Oct. 23, according to The Athletic's Sam Amick.

Embiid has not yet played during the 2024-25 season, and the NBA fined the Sixers $100,000 last Tuesday for making "inconsistent" statements about his health.

Amick reported that the 76ers have been monitoring the status of Embiid's left knee since he joined Team USA during the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer.

"On the one hand, league sources say his left knee wasn't a concern, or even a topic of discussion, among the Team USA stakeholders during the national team's run to Olympic gold in France — even if, according to team sources, the left knee was being managed and monitored on their end during that time," Amick wrote.

Embiid, who underwent knee surgery in February, returned to the Sixers lineup for the conclusion of the 2023-24 season. He told reporters on Friday that he is still working on recovering from the surgery.

Embiid also said "no" when asked on Friday if had experienced a setback in the knee, per Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.

"I had surgery in February. I did come back early to fight for the team and to play and try to give us a chance, and unfortunately we lost," Embiid told reporters on Friday. "I had time to recover, so really still been managing since the last surgery. Been managing, and trying to figure out the best approach."

The 76ers told reporters on Oct. 13 that Embiid would sit out the rest of the 2024-25 preseason.

The team then said on Oct. 22, the day before the season opener, that Embiid would miss the start of the regular season. Nick Nurse told reporters when sharing the news that there had been "no setback" in Embiid's injury recovery. That raised eyebrows, considering the 76ers' previous messaging as well as Embiid's participation in the Olympics.

Amick noted that NBA sources say Embiid "never missed a practice or a shootaround during the five-week stretch from the team's Las Vegas training camp in early July to the championship game against France on Aug. 10."

Embiid logged just 11 minutes and four points in the gold medal game, although he had played 27 minutes while contributing 19 points to the United States' semifinal victory over Serbia two days prior.

However, the NBA said when fining the Sixers that an investigation had "confirmed that Embiid has been unable to play in the 76ers' regular season games this season due to a left knee condition."

The 76ers are off to a 1-5 start to the season despite Paul George, who was previously sidelined with a bone bruise in his knee, making his Sixers debut in Monday night's loss to the Phoenix Suns.

There is now a possibility that Embiid could face suspension after the NBA began an investigation into his reported altercation with a Philadelphia columnist in the 76ers locker room following Saturday's loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Embiid said on Friday that he "should be back pretty soon." The 76ers will wait to see if any potential league penalties could delay his return further as they prepare for Wednesday night's road game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Philadelphia 76ers are hopeful that star center Joel Embiid could make his 2024-25 NBA season debut on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, according to The Athletic's Sam Amick.

"He recently began practicing in five-on-five action, worked out extensively before the game against the Suns and is expected to take part in individual workouts Tuesday in Los Angeles that will set the stage for what comes next," Amick reported. "Barring a setback, it seems likely there is an end in sight here very soon."

Amick noted it's possible Embiid could be under suspension by the time Wednesday's game tips off. The league is looking into the confrontation between the seven-time All-Star and a local columnist that recently unfolded in the Sixers' locker room.

Embiid hasn't suited up due to lingering left knee trouble, which dates back to the meniscus injury that required surgery in February. While he returned to the court toward the end of last year and competed in the 2024 Summer Olympics, the knee became troublesome again as the new season approached.

The NBA looked into the situation and determined the Sixers aren't violating the player participation policy by keeping the 30-year-old out of the lineup since his knee injury is a genuine and ongoing concern.

Embiid can't play soon enough for Philly, which is off to a 1-5 start thanks in large part to his and Paul George's absences. George made his Sixers debut Monday night, which wasn't enough to spur the team to victory as it fell 118-115 to the Phoenix Suns.

With their general handling of Embiid and George, the 76ers are making it clear their overriding priority is to have both players healthy and at their best in time for the playoffs.

That makes sense in theory because Embiid especially hasn't had a postseason run when he was actually 100 percent. The potential downside is that Philadelphia could throw away some regular season games that prove costly for seeding purposes.

At least there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel in terms of the Sixers having their full complement of stars.

Veteran forward Paul George made his season debut with the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night as they faced the Phoenix Suns.

After struggling to find the bottom of the net during the first quarter, George knocked down a corner three-pointer at the start of the second quarter off of an assist by Tyrese Maxey.

the PG8 era has begun! @forthepeople pic.twitter.com/AX7rFLnObv

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 5, 2024

George missed the 76ers' first five games of the season after sustaining a hyperextended knee injury during his second preseason game with the team.

Fans have still yet to see the highly-anticipated duo of George and Joel Embiid given the big man's notable absence this season.

During George's short-lived preseason appearance he led the 76ers with 16 points in both games while shooting 55 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc.

George declined his player option with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he spent five years and became a free agent before signing a four-year, $211,584,940 contract with Philadelphia.

Fans were eager to see George's debut alongside rising star Maxey, and after shaking off some rust, he did not disappoint.

https://twitter.com/HoagieMobile/status/1853647753139679346

Paul George's gravity alone made the Sixers look like a competent NBA team. Dude didn't even score a point but he got the Sixers right back in the game.

— Paul Hudrick (@PaulHudrick) November 5, 2024

The mentality changes with Paul George playing on this team, even when he's not on the court, is really significant. The team is making their threes and hustling.

— 𝚕𝚌 🏀 (@lc_philadelphia) November 5, 2024

https://twitter.com/GhostflowerMG/status/1853639512309592183

2 down. 2 to go. @cryptocom pic.twitter.com/tzuwCHX39K

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 5, 2024

Paul George is waking up already #sixers #76ers

— Baz (@Rm_baz) November 5, 2024

Paul George looks like he’s settling in, just him being on the court stresses the entire defense, they were able to generate some solid offense that 2nd quarter, great bounce back from a rough start

— Prez💊 ‘ (@PresidentEmbiid) November 5, 2024

https://twitter.com/philliesBalls/status/1853651706204037293

oh right forgot Paul George is really good at basketball

— Jawn Gonzalez (@JohnGonzalez) November 5, 2024

Paul George just fills the right space on both sides of the floor so easily. And this is without Embiid, who has as much gravity as anyone in the NBA. Impressive.

— Connor Thomas (@ConnorThomas975) November 5, 2024

Paul George is going to be so good next to Embiid man, I can’t wait to see it

— the Ginga (@SirGingaa) November 5, 2024

George and the 76ers are at the start of a three-game road trip.

A spokesman for the NBA confirmed the league is investigating a reported confrontation between Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid and a local columnist.

According to an ESPN report, the 2022-23 MVP approached the Philadelphia Inquirer's Marcus Hayes about something he wrote.

The offending passage from Hayes' column, which has since been removed from online versions after its initial publication on Oct. 23, referenced Embiid's younger brother and son, per Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.

"Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son, Arthur, as the major inflection point in his basketball career," Hayes wrote (via Aaronson). "He often says that he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother, who tragically died in an automobile accident when Embiid was in his first year as a 76er. Well, in order to be great at your job, you first have to show up for work. Embiid has been great at just the opposite."

Per ESPN, Embiid walked toward Hayes in the locker room following last Saturday's 124-107 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies. He told the columnist that "you are going to see what I'm going to do to you" if Hayes referenced his brother or son again.

The argument continued and Embiid reportedly "pushed Hayes on the shoulder while the team's public relations chief got between them." Aaronson added that "there was no punch made or attempted by Embiid."

A day before the incident, the seven-time All-Star vented his frustration with the general narrative that he's choosing not to play rather than dealing with a persistent knee issue. He called out Hayes specifically, though the columnist wasn't in attendance.

“When I see people saying, he doesn’t want to play, I’ve done way too much for this city putting myself at risk for people to be saying that. I do think it’s bullshit. Like that dude, he’s not here, Marcus, I’ve done way too much for this fucking city to be treated like this.” pic.twitter.com/n1Z9of1F6v

— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) November 1, 2024

The situation dates back to the surgery Embiid had this past February to repair a meniscus injury. While he returned to the court toward the end of the 2023-24 season and represented the United States in the 2024 Summer Olympics, he has yet to make his debut this year.

The NBA looked into the matter and ultimately fined the Sixers $100,000 for public comments made by head coach Nick Nurse and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey about Embiid's health. The league found the center is suffering from a legitimate "left knee condition" that's precluding him from playing, though.

The Sixers have gotten off to a 1-4 start with both Embiid and Paul George unavailable. George is expected to make his first appearance Monday night against the Phoenix Suns.

Philadelphia 76ers veteran forward Paul George is reportedly expected to make his 2024-25 season debut on Monday against the Phoenix Suns, which would then allow him to play in Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

During this week's episode of Podcast P with Paul George Presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment (6:15 mark), he spoke about how he expects to feel when he returns to Los Angeles to face his former team.

"As it always is returning to familiar places, it's always gonna be emotional because you spent so much time with these people and you've really learned and counted them and looked at them as family, so it'll definitely have some emotional touch to it. And then obviously, seeing the homies, seeing the guys that you've played against and you've went to battle with, so it'll be fun on that aspect to compete against those guys," George said, going on to say that his return is "gonna be dope."

George, who signed a four-year, $212 million deal with the Sixers this offseason after spending the last five seasons with the Clippers, has been sidelined since suffering a bone bruise in his left knee during a preseason game on Oct. 14.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the 34-year-old participated in a 5-on-5 scrimmage on Friday and went through practice on Sunday. Philadelphia officially designated him as questionable for the game against Phoenix, but he's expected to make his return "barring any setbacks," Charania noted.

A Los Angeles native, George appeared to be a perfect match for the Clippers when he and Kawhi Leonard joined the team together in 2019. However, their partnership was defined by disappointment, as they both dealt with injuries that hindered them from achieving their goal of bringing a championship to the downtrodden franchise.

George appeared in less than 60 games in four out of his five years with his hometown team. The nine-time All-Star had his healthiest season in 2023-24, appearing in 74 games and posting career highs of 47.1 percent shooting, 41.3 percent from three-point range and 90.7 percent from the free-throw line.

The Sixers are hoping that George can stay healthy and form a dangerous trio with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, the latter of whom has also yet to make his season debut while he nurses a knee injury.

Monday's game against the Suns will be an early test for George before he faces the Clippers in his return to Los Angeles.