PHILADELPHIA — 76ers center Joel Embiid will not play in Wednesday’s contest against the New York Knicks, the club’s final outing before the All-Star break. The absence, first reported by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, is listed as right knee injury management.
Embiid experienced soreness in the knee after Philadelphia’s win in Phoenix on Saturday and sat out Monday’s loss in Portland. According to Bontemps, the discomfort has subsided, but the club will continue to treat the injury and reevaluate the former MVP once play resumes after the break.
Grimes Relieved by De Facto No-Trade Clause
Guard Quentin Grimes said accepting his one-year qualifying offer last summer provided unexpected peace of mind at this season’s trade deadline. Because he is playing on that tender, Grimes effectively controls any potential trade. “That made it a little easier to go to bed at night knowing I’m not going to wake up and find out that I’m somewhere I don’t want to be,” he told Mark Medina of EssentiallySports. The 24-year-old added that any proposal must be cleared with him first, calling the arrangement “a win-win.”
Ingram Rewarding Raptors’ Bet
Brandon Ingram’s first All-Star selection as a Raptor is being viewed internally as validation of Toronto’s decision to trade for and extend him last season. The forward has appeared in 52 of 54 games and leads the team in scoring. Head coach Darko Rajakovic credited Ingram’s rigorous offseason rehab program for keeping him on the floor, noting the former Pelican missed only two games despite a recent history of injuries.
Nets Could Weigh Long-Term Deal for Sharpe
Day’Ron Sharpe owns the best net rating among Brooklyn regulars and ranks in the league’s top 10 in offensive rebounds and steals per 100 possessions. The Nets hold a $6.5 million team option on the 24-year-old center for 2026/27, but Brian Lewis of The New York Post reports the franchise may consider declining that option to negotiate a longer contract before the decision deadline.
The Sixers return to action after the All-Star break, when Embiid’s status will be reassessed, while roster decisions for Grimes, Ingram and Sharpe continue to loom as the season progresses.
Source: HoopsRumors
