NBA Atlantic

An eye-opening bit of information regarding the knee issues Joel Embiid has dealt with this season was revealed on Sunday during ESPN's broadcast of the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Milwaukee Bucks:

Joel Embiid believes he will need another knee surgery this offseason.

(via @saltersl) pic.twitter.com/8V4rj9QagU

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 9, 2025

On the broadcast just now, Lisa Salters just relayed after talking with Embiid that he believes “It will likely take another surgery and a long recovery period" to get his knee right

Which, notably, is not what the team has said!

— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) February 9, 2025

Embiid, 30, has appeared in just 16 games during the 2024-25 season, most notably missing 15 straight games between January and early February due to ongoing issues with his left knee.

It's been that sort of year for the Sixers, who have dealt with massive injury concerns throughout the entire season, including to Paul George. But nobody has struggled to stay on the court more than Embiid, an unfortunate trend in an otherwise fantastic career.

There is hope that Embiid had put his injury issues behind him this season, especially after he registered a 29-point, 11-rebounds, 10-assist triple-double in his return to action on Feb. 4 against the Dallas Mavericks, though he was immediately ruled out for the next night's matchup against the Miami Heat.

Here's a cut of Joel Embiid's answers when talking about his knee during tonight's postgame presser. We'll have the full press conference up on the @phly_sports YouTube soon.

"I wish I could play every game. My goal is to be available and play every game. Whatever God decides… pic.twitter.com/iZD4YbTzqi

— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) February 5, 2025

That wasn't a major concern, of course—only playing one leg of back-to-backs has been a familiar theme in Embiid's career to ease his load management.

At this point, the Sixers are just hoping they can stay relatively healthy as they push for a playoff berth. The big three of Embiid, George and Tyrese Maxey has rarely shared the floor this season, a major disappointment after the the high expectations of the summer.

Perhaps a healthy Sixers team could still make some noise in the postseason, should they get there. For now, however, just keeping Embiid on the court is the primary goal, and it's obviously a major concern that he may be dealing with a somewhat balky knee until he's able to undergo another surgery and recovery period, likely after the season.

Boston Celtics legend Kevin Garnett said last summer that Jalen Brunson's New York Knicks were "built to challenge this Celtics team."

The Knicks have yet to live up to that expectation.

Jayson Tatum scored 40 points to lead the Celtics to a blowout win over the Knicks for the second time this season Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

Jayson Tatum SHOWED OUT for the Celtics at MSG!

🍀 40 PTS
🍀 6 REB
🍀 4 AST
🍀 7 3PM

Boston moves to 5-1 in their last 6. pic.twitter.com/W3FBwrL4iv

— NBA (@NBA) February 9, 2025

Tatum made history during the win by passing Jo Jo White and Dave Cowens for ninth on the Celtics' all-time points leaderboard (h/t Celtics broadcaster Sean Grande.)

He also joined Larry Bird and Paul Pierce as one of three Celtics with multiple 40-point outings against the Knicks, per Celtics statistician Dick Lipe.

His historic outing helped the Celtics win despite missing Jrue Holiday to a shoulder injury and Kristaps Porziņģis to an illness.

Jayson Tatum vs. Knicks this season: 72 points, 26/42 FG, 14/23 3pt FG.

— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) February 9, 2025

Jayson Tatum and the Knicks is LeBron and Toronto all over again

— Owen O’Connor (@OwenOConnorNBA) February 9, 2025

If we play the Knicks in the playoffs Tatum either averaging 40 points or 15 assists a game lmfao

— Karan (@ksenguptaa) February 9, 2025

my god this is one of those “you’re never winning this conference if I’m in it”

— jayson tatum is better than luka doncic. (@EuroHarden) February 9, 2025

Jayson Tatum with a cheeky 40/6/4 on 67.8% TS against our supposed eastern conference "rivals".

Good times. pic.twitter.com/w3SeF4OaYC

— Jake Issenberg (@jakeissenberg) February 9, 2025

Knicks have a Jayson Tatum problem

— Kwameh Lewis 🌴™️ (@klewww2_) February 9, 2025

Tatum's 40 points also helped convince fans the Knicks have yet to present a serious threat to the Celtics' hopes of repeating as champions.

The Knicks were seeking redemption after watching the Celtics challenge the single-game record for 3-pointers while opening the season with a blowout win over New York at TD Garden.

But the Celtics led from the jump Saturday, scoring 10 of the game's first 12 points and not slowing down from there.

Despite Brunson's 36-point effort, the visitors led by as many as 35 points. The Knicks trailed by 13 points at the half, 20 after the third quarter and 27 by the final buzzer.

6th time this year the Celtics have had a 35 point lead.

Both games against the Knicks.

— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) February 9, 2025

In the two games this season vs. NY, Boston has made 48 three-pointers and the Knicks have 20.

That means the Celtics have outscored them by 84 points from beyond the arc.

Unreal!

— Dick Lipe (@DickLipe) February 9, 2025

Celtics are now 4-1 against the Knicks and Cavaliers this season, for those who weren't keeping count.

— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) February 9, 2025

Celtics 4 best wins of the year have been against Knicks/Cavs. We're fine in the East.

— ☘︎ (@18bannners) February 9, 2025

If the Celtics played the Knicks every game they would be 82-0.

— GreenRunsDeep (@CelticsGRD) February 9, 2025

The Knicks simply can’t guard the Celtics. You can’t hide both KAT and Brunson. This is a 5 game series IMO.

— 2Slime (@CDRosario_) February 9, 2025

The Celtics had one of their most efficient team shooting nights of the season, making 54.1 percent of their shots from the floor and 48.7 percent from deep. Meanwhile the Knicks' second leading scorer, Karl Anthony-Towns, finished the loss with nine points after going 3-for-8 from the field.

The Knicks and Celtics meet again in just over two weeks when Brunson's team returns to TD Garden, then once more at Madison Square Garden on April 8.

The final matchup between these two teams could come in the playoffs as both fight to make it past the Cleveland Cavaliers and out of the Eastern Conference. The Knicks will need to work on solving their matchup issues with the Celtics before that time comes.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards has played his way into a full-time NBA deal.

After joining the Sixers on a two-way contract this summer, Edwards will finish out the season on a standard contract with a team option for 2025-26, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

According to Pompey, both Edwards and the Sixers "are interested in exploring a longer-term deal in the offseason."

The #Sixers will sign two-way forward Justin Edwards to a standard contract for the remainder of the season with a team option for the 2025-26 season, according to league sources. Both sides are interested in exploring a longer-term deal in the offseason, the sources say. pic.twitter.com/wjHxVGxHp3

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) February 8, 2025

After joining the league as an undrafted free agent out of Kentucky, Edwards has slotted into the Sixers' starting rotation over the team's last seven games.

Edwards played fewer than 10 minutes in four games while making sporadic starts for the Sixers in November and early January.

He first entered the rotation against the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 4 as the depleted Sixers looked to find replacements for injured players, including Joel Embiid, Jared McCain, Kelly Oubre Jr. and KJ Martin.

Edwards enjoyed a breakout game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 14, when he went 9-for-16 from the field to put up 25 points against one of the strongest defenses in the league.

That success, as well as the Sixers' myriad injuries, combined to earn Edwards the first start of his NBA career against the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 28.

the rook over the vet. pic.twitter.com/ag07HwoVqX

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 29, 2025

In seven starts since then, Edwards has earned praise from Paul George, Tyrese Maxey and Nick Nurse while recording more than 31 minutes per game. Over that span, he has averaged 10.3 points and contributed 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

The injuries that have plagued the Sixers this season have contributed to a 20-31 record that has left the team outside the play-in bubble after the trade deadline.

On the bright side, they have also opened up playing time for Edwards— and the Philadelphia native has used the opportunity to play his way into the rotation and a standard contract.

After suffering a foot injury last Saturday in the New York Knicks' 128-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, OG Anunoby is targeting a return sometime after the All-Star break, Shams Charania said on NBA Countdown.

Before his exit, Anunoby posted 13 points in 17 minutes. The Knicks have won both of their games since then, defeating the Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors last week.

Anunoby received a pass and was about to shoot before falling to one knee and grabbing his foot in pain with a non-contact injury.

"You deal with the reality of it," Thibodeau told reporters after the game. "It's good that it's a mild sprain. Just work your way through the treatment and get ready to go. … Next guy get in there and get the job done."

He had played in all 49 games this season ahead of his injury, averaging a career high 36.4 minutes per game with 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

In addition, the Knicks are expecting center Mitchell Robinson to make his season debut after having offseason foot surgery.

"He is expected to start 5-on-5 play here very soon. Im told he and the Knicks have goal of before March 1 for potentially his season debut," Charania said.

Robinson played in 31 games last season, posting a career-low 5.6 points per game, along with 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.2 steals.

The New York Knicks were 34-17 heading into their Eastern Conference matchup against the Boston Celtics on Saturday night.

The New York Knicks are reportedly expected to part ways with their backup center ahead of this year's NBA trade deadline.

Per ESPN's Tim Bontemps, the Knicks are expected to trade Jericho Sims before Thursday afternoon's deadline. Bontemps noted that a handful of teams "have expressed interest in acquiring" the 26-year-old, who is on an expiring $2 million deal.

Sims, a former second-round pick by New York in 2021, is putting up just 1.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game this year, playing 10.8 minutes per contest off the bench. With Karl-Anthony Towns holding down the starting role and Precious Achiuwa being his primary backup, Sims currently splits minutes with Ariel Hukporti.

New York will eventually have another big man back in the rotation in Mitchell Robinson, who hasn't played this season due to a foot injury. SNY's Ian Begley reported earlier this week that Mitchell was cleared for contact in practice and is now allowed to play 5-on-5 scrimmage.

With a crowded center rotation, moving on from Sims before the deadline could give the Knicks some much-needed financial flexibility. They're currently just $535,301 below the second apron, per Spotrac.

According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks are interested in trading for Sims.

The Lakers have a major need for a center after dealing Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Dončić. Considering Los Angeles' lack of big men, Sims could go from a reserve role in New York to seeing significant playing time for the Lakers.

He might not get the same kind of minutes with the Clippers or Bucks as those two squads are better equipped in the frontcourt, but he would still likely have a bigger role than that which he plays in New York.

The Knicks are in a good place heading into the second half of the season, so any trades made at the deadline likely won't be of major significance. After winning seven of its last eight games, New York is currently in third place in the East at 34-17 and looks primed for a deep playoff run.

Joel Embiid had jokes expense after a successful return to the court for the Philadelphia 76ers in Tuesday's 118-116 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Embiid joked he found a rhythm early in the game because he was scared of getting traded if he played poorly.

Sixers center Joel Embiid jokingly attributed being scared of getting traded to finding his rhythm early on against the Dallas Mavericks: pic.twitter.com/mEnzDcq273

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) February 5, 2025

Embiid was obviously taking a playful swipe at the team the Sixers beat following the Mavs' stunning decision to trade Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Per ESPN's Tim MacMahon, part of the Mavericks' motivation for making the trade was "major concerns" about Dončić's conditioning going forward.

The concerns about conditioning have hovered around Embiid at times during his NBA career. He even said coming into this season that he dropped between 25 to 30 pounds in order to be healthy for a potential playoff run.

Things haven't worked out for Embiid or the 76ers to this point. The victory over the Mavs was just his 14th start of the season for Embiid. Philadelphia is currently out of the playoff and play-in mix in the Eastern Conference with a 20-29 record, but it's only one game behind the Chicago Bulls for the No. 10 seed.

Playing for the first time in exactly one month on Tuesday night, Embiid turned in arguably his best performance of the season. He finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in 36 minutes for his first triple-double since Jan. 16, 2024.

The Sixers are 8-6 in 14 games with Embiid this season, compared to 12-23 without him. They're still firmly in the mix for at least a play-in spot, trailing the Chicago Bulls by one game for the No. 10 seed. They are only four games behind the Detroit Pistons in the sixth spot.

It's a dangerous game to bet on the 76ers to have any good luck with injuries this season, but there is a glimmer of hope that things can improve for the stretch run if Embiid stays on the court.

Two veterans on the Philadelphia 76ers roster, center Andre Drummond and guard Eric Gordon, are garnering interest ahead of Thursday's 3 p.m. ET NBA trade deadline, according to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer.

Philly appears to be ready to sell as it sits 11th in the Eastern Conference at 20-29. The Sixers traded forward Caleb Martin to the Dallas Mavericks for guard Quentin Grimes and the 2025 second-round pick they previously dealt. Stein also reported forward K.J. Martin is going to the Detroit Pistons for two second-rounders.

Drummond and Gordon have player options for 2025-26 worth $5 million and $3.5 million respectively. Especially with how much Philadelphia is struggling on the court, either could plausibly opt out and chase more money or a better shot at a championship.

As painful as it may be to recognize, the 76ers don't have a great playoff outlook and could miss the postseason entirely.

Joel Embiid returned to the court in Tuesday's 118-116 win over the Dallas Mavericks, which provides some optimism moving forward.

But we've been waiting for Philly to turn the corner for months now and it hasn't happened for one reason or another. The front office shouldn't pivot toward a complete teardown, but it might as well see what it can get for Gordon and Drummond when they are unlikely to move the needle much for the rest of the year.

Gordon is averaging 7.3 points per game and shooting 42.6 percent from beyond the arc. Even at 36, he remain an effective long-range threat. Drummond, meanwhile, is a dependable backup big (7.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game) on a reasonable contract.

Both could reasonably net something in draft compensation, which could help the Sixers fill out the roster or facilitate another deal down the road.

The New York Knicks are currently third in the Eastern Conference and a legitimate contender to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy this season. They also have the luxury of having an abundance of quality centers on their roster, including Karl Anthony Towns, a potentially returning Mitchell Robinson, Precious Achiuwa, and Ariel Hukporti.

Jericho Sims is another and Hoops Hype's Michael Scotto reported the 26-year-old is garnering interest around the league as the trade deadline approaches. Teams reportedly interested include the Lakers, Clippers, and Bucks.

Sims has seen just over 10 minutes of court time on average this year, thanks to the logjam at the position. Still, he has accounted for 3.3 rebounds per game and is shooting 60.9 percent from the floor.

The big man's raw athleticism is his greatest tool but he also possesses quality rim protection, something both the Lakers and Clippers could use as they fight through a stacked Western Conference.

Not only is Sims young, with a potentially high upside, should he have the opportunity to play more, but he is on an expiring $2 million contract, which means he would presumably be an affordable pickup for any of the teams looking to add him to their rosters.

He could likely be had for draft assets in the case of the Clippers and Bucks, while the Lakers would have the ability to package a player, probably Gave Vincent or Rui Hachimura, in any offer they make.

Whatever the case, trading Sims would allow the team to acquire some draft capital that makes preparing for the future while riding high in the present a real possibility. That is an enviable position, one that their biggest Eastern Conference rivals, the Boston Celtics, would love to find themselves in.

Using one young player with untapped potential to facilitate a draft pick or two is smart business by a front office that has gotten everything right over the last year and the type of championship move that has not always been associated with the long-suffering Knicks organization.

If the team can get a deal done, either for Sims or even Mitchell Robinson, who the Lakers reportedly have on their radar as well, it will be a significant off-the-court victory to go along with all that they have accomplished on it here in this 2024-25 season.

For the second night in a row, the New York Knicks pulled out a gritty, close win.

This time, the Knicks beat the Toronto Raptors 121-115—just 24 hours after downing the Houston Rockets 124-118 in a matchup that came down to the final minute.

Star point guard Jalen Brunson had another tremendous effort, posting 28 points and five assists. Just as he did against the Rockets on Monday, Brunson had a handful of shots in the clutch, including a dagger to put New York up six.

The big night from Brunson comes on the heels of his 42-point effort against Houston.

Brunson wasn't the only Knick with a big night, as New York's newest star Karl-Anthony Towns, also came to play. The big man had 27 points and 20 rebounds, marking his fourth 20-point, 20-rebound game this season.

After the clutch performance from Brunson and the impressive stat line from Towns, fans praised the Knicks stars on social media.

Brunson man. Ice cold

— JetsandKnicks 🛫🗽 (@JetsandKnicks) February 5, 2025

Brunson = clutch

— CAPTA11N (@_LMiiguel) February 5, 2025

THAT STEP BACK WAS PURE!

Jalen Brunson just created more than enough space to knock down a deep two and put the Knicks up 5!

— Let’s Talk Knicks (LTK) (@LetsTalkKnicks_) February 5, 2025

This man brunson is filthy

— Chief FlocksOfDough (@Who_iz_COREY) February 5, 2025

Brunson is different

— Walt Perrin Sees the Future (@KnickedupFan) February 5, 2025

you can’t stop brunson in the clutch man

— New York In 6 (@LA1823732) February 5, 2025

Jalen Brunson is a lethal weapon

— PJ Washington (@PJwashington10) February 5, 2025

where would this team be without brunson 😂😂

— 🅰️ (@abzMCFC___) February 5, 2025

Karl-Anthony Towns’ 4 20/20 games are tied with Nikola Jokic for the most in the NBA this season and are the most by a Knick in a season since Patrick Ewing in 1992-93 (also 4)

— Knicks Stats (@NY_Knicks_Stats) February 5, 2025

Karl-Anthony Towns DELIVERED with the first 20/15 1st half since DeMarcus Cousins in 2015‼️

🏀 20 Points
🏀 15 Rebounds pic.twitter.com/g94gg6NDdV

— DraftKings (@DraftKings) February 5, 2025

https://twitter.com/StatMamba/status/1886957807938715974

The Knicks have been on a tear in recent weeks, winning seven of their last eight games to improve to 33-17 on the year. New York will get to establish itself as one of the best teams in the East this weekend when it takes on the defending champion Boston Celtics.

Welcome back, Joel Embiid.

The Philadelphia 76ers center marked his return from a 15-game injury absence in a major way on Tuesday, posting a 29-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist triple-double to lead the Sixers to a 118-116 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

JOEL EMBIID FOR THE LEAD!!

HE GIVES THE 76ERS A 1-PT LEAD IN HIS RETURN.

22 seconds left on NBA League Pass! pic.twitter.com/tfc40vFVcW

— NBA (@NBA) February 5, 2025

Joel Embiid is back in action with the turnaround fade 😤

Mavs-Sixers underway on NBA League Pass! pic.twitter.com/ySa6tZeXRl

— NBA (@NBA) February 5, 2025

Tyrese Maxey had a monster performance in his own right, putting up 33 points and 13 assists, while Guerschon Yabusele chipped in with 19 points and eight boards.

That spoiled a strong effort from Kyrie Irving (34 points, nine rebounds), who played without new running mate Anthony Davis following the weekend's shocking Luka Dončić trade.

While the departure of Dončić will continue to be a major storyline in Dallas as fans wrap their heads around the stunning trade, Tuesday night was all about Embiid's triumphant return to the lineup, and fans and pundits were happy to see him back:

First game in a month and Embiid drops 29-11-10, and looks pretty good doing it. Sure would be nice to get some more of that.

— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) February 5, 2025

Embiid scores 29 looks good in Sixers Win. If only he can stay healthy. Hope springs eternal in the Sixer world.

— Gator (@Cloudyskynorain) February 5, 2025

Embiid came back and dropped a triple double man plz

— Furious Stylez (@TweetsByJMike) February 5, 2025

Embiid was rusty and dropped a triple double. Thats growth from the big fella. Yall can talk about injuries but you can't deny his impact on the court

— Sistah Outlaw™ (@Dr_McCloud) February 5, 2025

Embiid triple double my goat is back

— Respectful Sixers Fan 🤝 (@sixersyessir) February 5, 2025

Embiid and Maxey are so good together 😭😭😭😭

— Lavender Brown (@PhillyAlwayz) February 5, 2025

Forgot how good Embiid is lol

— Swish (@BlowMy_Swisha) February 5, 2025

Joel Embiid is insanely good at basketball.

— Durag Papi (@I_m_TaylorMade) February 5, 2025

Triple double in Embiid’s first game back in a month. When he’s on the court, he’s the best player in the league.

— Steppy (@nickyyrebornnnn) February 5, 2025

The win moved the Sixers to just 20-29 on the season, as the team has gone from the high of signing Paul George in the offseason to a rash of injuries that has left them shorthanded more often than not.

That was the case yet again on Tuesday as George, Jared McCain (out for the season), Andre Drummond, Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon all missed the contest due to injuries, new acquisiton Quentin Grimes wasn't available to play after being acquired earlier in the day and KJ Martin was held out due to a pending trade, per Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports.

And yet, there is reason for some optimism in Philly. The Sixers are just a half game back of the Chicago Bulls for the final Play-In Tournament seed (and Chicago has already traded Zach LaVine and may be sellers ahead of Thursday's trade deadline), while Embiid is back in action and looked fantastic on Tuesday.

It hasn't been the season that Philly fans were expecting, but there may be more to the story yet for these Sixers.