Philadelphia will open the post-All-Star portion of its schedule without Joel Embiid. The 76ers listed the center as out for Thursday’s home game against Atlanta, citing ongoing right knee injury management and new right shin soreness that surfaced during the break, according to the club.
The reigning MVP, sidelined for the final two contests before the recess, will be re-examined before a weekend back-to-back in New Orleans and Minnesota. Head coach Nick Nurse said Embiid participated in portions of Wednesday’s practice and “looked pretty good” but must meet with team doctors before any return date is set. Embiid had appeared in 18 of Philadelphia’s last 22 games.
Walker earns standard deal
The Sixers converted forward Jabari Walker from a two-way contract to a standard roster spot on Wednesday. Terms reported by Spotrac indicate the two-year, minimum-salary agreement carries a $250,000 partial guarantee for the 2026-27 season.
Shamet among top minimum signings
Landry Shamet has entered the conversation for the league’s most productive minimum-salary addition, The Athletic notes. The Knicks guard is averaging a career-best 9.6 points while shooting 42.2 percent from three-point range, putting him alongside names such as Celtics center Neemias Queta and Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili on the season’s value list.
MSG studies franchise split
James Dolan, chief executive of Madison Square Garden Sports, told investors Wednesday the company is exploring a plan to separate the Knicks and NHL’s Rangers into two publicly traded entities. A source informed The New York Post that the examination is not tied to any intention to sell the teams or take the company private.
Health key for Raptors run
As Toronto resumes play, Sportsnet.ca identifies five variables that could define its stretch run, starting with the lingering back problems of center Jakob Poeltl. In addition, February’s trade that sent Ochai Agbaji elsewhere should create increased minutes for the club’s young wings over the coming weeks.
Source: Hoops Rumors
