Embiid Reports Progress, Gafford Out Two–Three Weeks, McCollum Embraces Mentor Role in Washington
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76ers
Head coach Nick Nurse said reigning MVP Joel Embiid is showing positive signs as he returns from surgery on his left knee. Speaking early in training camp, Nurse noted Embiid “looks good” and “feels a lot better” than he did at the same point last year. The center, limited to 19 games before being shut down in February, has stressed the need to stay on the floor after what he called “a disaster of a season.” Philadelphia opens its preseason schedule Thursday in Abu Dhabi.
Mavericks
Center Daniel Gafford will miss an estimated two to three weeks after turning his ankle on the first day of camp, head coach Jason Kidd told reporters. The injury occurred Tuesday, and the 25-year-old is expected to sit out the entire preseason, which ends October 15. Dallas starts the regular season October 22 at San Antonio, leaving Gafford’s availability in doubt if the full timeline is required.
Gafford averaged a career-best 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 57 games last season, missing 21 contests with a sprained knee. He signed a three-year, $54 million extension this summer that runs through 2028-29. If he cannot play on opening night, Dereck Lively II is expected to step in at center alongside Anthony Davis and rookie Cooper Flagg.
Wizards
Recently acquired guard CJ McCollum, 34, has quickly adopted the role of veteran leader in Washington. The wine-making scorer joked that many of his new teammates are too young to sample his product, citing 20-year-olds Bub Carrington and AJ Johnson and 19-year-old first-round picks Tre Johnson and Will Riley.
“The guys are asking questions,” McCollum said, adding that the group will learn “by osmosis” from watching his preparation. Carrington, expected to start at point guard, called it “super exciting” to share a locker room with a player he has long admired and said he frequently picks McCollum’s brain after practice sessions.
Source: Hoops Wire
