TITLE: Embiid Returns in Double-OT Loss, Pritchard Scores 42, Knicks Stay Hot at MSG
SLUG: embiid-returns-pritchard-42-knicks-home-surge
CONTENT:
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid played for the first time in three weeks on Sunday, logging a season-high 30 minutes in a double-overtime defeat to the Atlanta Hawks. The reigning MVP finished with 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting and was withheld from the second extra period as the team continues to safeguard the right knee that ended his 2023-24 season.
“I’m just happy I got a chance to play basketball, build on it and go from there,” Embiid said via ESPN, noting that he had completed only two full-court sessions before the game. Sunday marked his seventh appearance of the season; he is averaging 19.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 24.3 minutes.
Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe returned from a calf injury to score seven points in 21 minutes but did not play in either overtime. Forward Paul George, making his fifth appearance of the year, was also kept out of the second OT. “That was just kind of about as much as they had, to be honest,” head coach Nick Nurse said.
Celtics
In Cleveland, Payton Pritchard rebounded from a rough night in Minnesota by pouring in 42 points on 15-for-22 shooting as the Boston Celtics beat the Cavaliers. The guard hit his first three-pointer nine seconds after tip-off and added 15 points in the fourth quarter. “I just wanted to come out tonight after a disappointing night before and redeem myself,” he told the Boston Globe.
Knicks
The New York Knicks improved to 10-1 at Madison Square Garden with a 22-point win over the Toronto Raptors. Center Karl-Anthony Towns credited the home crowd, saying the fans’ energy is “priceless” and often carries the team to the finish line.
Guard Josh Hart continued to excel in OG Anunoby’s absence, posting 20 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Over his last seven games, Hart is averaging 14.6 points, 9.4 boards, 6.7 assists and 1.7 steals while shooting 52.1 percent. “Josh, he’s a baller,” coach Mike Brown said Friday. “It doesn’t matter what you throw in front of him. He just goes and balls out.”
Source: Hoops Wire
