LeBron James’ son Bronny has actually had a novel first yr as a university scholar at USC being the kid of among the best basketball gamers of all time.

Nonetheless, the youthful James will reportedly be taking a step that has turn into fairly widespread amongst school athletes.

On Tuesday, veteran basketball reporter Dick Weiss first reported that Bronny James is coming into the switch portal.

The transfer would come after USC’s coach, Andy Enfield, left for a similar place at SMU after the Trojans went simply 15-18 within the 2023-24 season.

Listed by USC at 6-foot-4 and 210 kilos, Bronny James appeared in 25 video games as a freshman with six begins and averaged 4.8 factors and a couple of.8 rebounds in 19.6 minutes per sport.

He missed the primary eight video games of the season after struggling cardiac arrest final summer season.

The 19 year-old has had a substantial amount of hype surrounding him for a few years and there was vast debate relating to his readiness and skill to play within the NBA, one thing his father has mentioned he wish to do along with his son.

It’s unclear whether or not or not Bronny James will switch to a faculty sponsored by Nike, which was a think about his resolution to go to USC out of highschool, as LeBron James has a lifetime contract with the corporate.

The strongest earthquake in a quarter-century rocked Taiwan through the morning rush hour Wednesday, killing 9 individuals, stranding dozens of employees at quarries and sending some residents scrambling out the home windows of broken buildings.

The quake, which additionally injured greater than 1,000, was centered off the coast of rural, mountainous Hualien County, the place some buildings leaned at extreme angles, their floor flooring crushed. Simply over 150 kilometres away within the capital of Taipei, tiles fell from older buildings, and colleges evacuated their college students to sports activities fields, equipping them with yellow security helmets.

Rescuers fanned out in Hualien, which comprises a metropolis of the identical identify, searching for individuals who could also be trapped and utilizing excavators to stabilize broken buildings. The numbers of individuals lacking, trapped or stranded fluctuated incessantly as authorities discovered of extra in hassle and labored to find or free them.

Taiwan’s earthquake monitoring company mentioned the quake was 7.2 magnitude whereas the U.S. Geological Survey put it at 7.4. It struck about 18 kilometres off of Hualien, on Taiwan’s east coast, and was about 35 kilometres deep.

“It was very sturdy. It felt as if the home was going to topple,” mentioned Chang Yu-lin, 60, a employee in a hospital in Taipei, the capital.

A girl who runs bed-and-breakfast lodging in Hualien metropolis mentioned she scrambled to calm her visitors who have been frightened by the quake.

“That is the most important earthquake I’ve ever skilled,” mentioned the girl, who requested to be recognized solely by her household identify, Chan.

Video confirmed rescuers utilizing ladders to assist trapped individuals out of home windows, whereas elsewhere there have been huge landslides, as sturdy tremors in Taipei compelled the subway system to shut briefly, though most traces resumed service.

WATCH l Considerations raised about tunnel positioned on mountain climbing path:

Crews working to rescue individuals trapped after Taiwan quake

Rescue crews are attempting to get to individuals left trapped after a robust earthquake rattled Taiwan, mentioned Philippe Leblanc, a Radio-Canada reporter based mostly in Taipei.

Taiwan’s nationwide fireplace company mentioned 9 individuals died within the quake.The native United Day by day Information reported three hikers died in rockslides in Taroko Nationwide Park and a van driver died in the identical space after boulders hit the car.

Collection of aftershocks

Some 70 employees who have been stranded at two rock quarries have been secure, based on the hearth company, however the roads to succeed in them had been broken by falling rocks. Six employees have been going to be airlifted on Thursday.

One other 1,011 individuals have been injured. Authorities additionally initially misplaced contact with 50 lodge workers in minibuses within the nationwide park after the quake downed telephone networks. Three of the staff managed to stroll to the lodge, whereas the others remained stranded.

The quake and aftershocks additionally precipitated 24 landslides and harm to roads, bridges and tunnels.

Hualien Mayor Hsu Chen-wei mentioned 48 residential buildings have been broken within the metropolis.

Taiwan’s air pressure mentioned six F-16 fighter jets had been barely broken at a significant base within the metropolis from which jets are sometimes scrambled to see off incursions by China’s air pressure, however the plane are anticipated to return to service very quickly.

Different Asian international locations really feel results

Most energy has been restored after the quake, electrical energy utility Taipower mentioned, with the island’s two nuclear energy stations unaffected.

Taiwan’s high-speed rail operator mentioned no harm or accidents have been reported on its trains, though companies can be delayed because it made inspections.

A significant provider of chips to Apple and Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, mentioned it had evacuated some fabrication vegetation, including later that the staff had begun to return to work.

The official central information company mentioned the quake was the most important since one among magnitude 7.6 in 1999 that killed about 2,400 individuals and broken or destroyed 50,000 buildings.

Taiwan climate officers ranked Wednesday’s quake in Hualien as “Higher 6,” or the second-highest stage of depth on a scale starting from 1 to 7.

Such quakes collapse partitions except they’re manufactured from bolstered concrete blocks, whereas individuals can’t stand upright and should crawl in an effort to transfer, specialists say.

The quake set off a tsunami warning for southern Japan and the Philippines that was later lifted.

In Japan, the climate company mentioned a number of small tsunami waves reached elements of the southern prefecture of Okinawa, whereas downgrading its tsunami warning to an advisory.

Within the Philippines, seismology officers warned coastal residents in a number of provinces to maneuver to greater floor.

Chinese language state media mentioned the quake was felt within the southeastern province of Fujian, whereas a Reuters witness mentioned it was additionally felt within the industrial hub of Shanghai.

WATCH |  Quake introduced down buildings and precipitated landslides: 

Crews seek for Taiwan earthquake survivors

Rescue crews are looking for survivors in Taiwan after the island was hit with a 7.2 magnitude earthquake — probably the most highly effective to strike there in 25 years.

The South Carolina ladies’s basketball crew is 2 wins away from perfection.

Daybreak Staley’s Gamecocks are coming into their fourth consecutive Ultimate 4 having not misplaced a single recreation all season.

That is truly the second straight NCAA Event the place South Carolina carried an ideal file within the Ultimate 4. Final yr, the then-36-0 Gamecocks had been shocked by Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes within the nationwide semifinals.

Whereas South Carolina might nonetheless run into Clark and Co. once more, it will not be within the Ultimate 4. This time round, the 36-0 Gamecocks are up in opposition to No. 3 NC State, which is making simply its second Ultimate 4 look and first since 1998.

Earlier than the Gamecocks and Wolfpack sq. off, here is a have a look at the historical past South Carolina is closing in on:

What number of undefeated NCAA ladies’s basketball champions have there been?

There was an undefeated champion 9 occasions in ladies’s NCAA Event historical past. The uncommon feat has been completed by 4 completely different packages: Baylor, Tennessee, Texas and UConn.

The 1985-86 Longhorns had been the primary to drag it off.

When was the final undefeated NCAA ladies’s basketball champion?

UConn is the one program with a number of unblemished championship seasons. Geno Auriemma’s Huskies went unbeaten a staggering six occasions, with two coming in consecutive seasons.

This is a full have a look at every undefeated ladies’s champion:

Texas, 1985-86: 34-0

UConn, 1994-95: 35-0

Tennessee, 1997-98: 39-0

UConn, 2001-02: 39-0

UConn, 2008-09: 39-0

UConn, 2009-10: 39-0

Baylor, 2011-12: 40-0

UConn, 2013-14: 40-0

UConn, 2015-16: 38-0

What number of undefeated NCAA males’s basketball champions have there been?

There have been even fewer good championship seasons on the boys’s aspect. It has been performed a mixed seven occasions by 4 completely different packages: Indiana, North Carolina, San Francisco and UCLA.

San Francisco grew to become the primary undefeated males’s champ in 1955-56.

When was the final undefeated NCAA males’s basketball champion?

It has been practically 50 years for the reason that final unbeaten males’s champ, which was the 1975-76 Hoosiers. Gonzaga was on the point of ending the drought in 2020-21, however the Bulldogs fell to Baylor within the nationwide title recreation.

This is a full have a look at every time it has been performed:

San Francisco, 1955-56: 29-0

North Carolina, 1956-57: 32-0

UCLA, 1963-64: 30-0

UCLA, 1966-67: 30-0

UCLA, 1971-72: 30-0

UCLA, 1972-73: 30-0

Indiana, 1975-76: 32-0

There’s a lot on the road within the 2024 males’s Ultimate 4. UConn is seeking to go back-to-back as champions whereas the opposite groups are searching for their first win, or first win in over 4 a long time.

Joe Flaherty, the comic and author identified for his roles on exhibits like Freaks and Geeks and SCTV, has died. He was 82.

“After a quick sickness, he left us yesterday, and since then, I have been struggling to come back to phrases with this immense loss,” his daughter Gudrun Flaherty informed CBC Information on Tuesday, by way of SCTV producer and shut household good friend Andrew Alexander.

“I take solace within the reminiscences we shared and the unimaginable affect he had on these round him. His spirit, humour and love will likely be part of me eternally.”

An improvisation skilled with an iconic voice and reward for the visitor spot, Flaherty’s credit run the gamut from film blockbusters reminiscent of Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy to TV staples reminiscent of Frasier, Freaks and Geeks and Household Man.  

However he was maybe greatest identified for a small position as a heckler within the Adam Sandler movie Comfortable Gilmore, and as a author and performer within the Canadian comedy sequence SCTV.

WATCH | Martin Brief calls Joe Flaherty ‘the anchor’ of SCTV: 

Martin Brief remembers Joe Flaherty as ‘the anchor’ of SCTV

Canadian comedy icon Martin Brief stated he relied closely on Joe Flaherty within the early days of working collectively on SCTV. ‘I labored with Joe for 50 years,’ Brief stated about Flaherty, who died at 82.

 

One of many present’s unique members, Flaherty stayed on for the present’s whole six-season as he labored alongside comedian legends reminiscent of John Sweet, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy and Martin Brief. And a minimum of in Brief’s opinion, his presence shepherded SCTV to the long-lasting standing it will definitely loved.

“Once I was on SCTV, we used to name him the anchor,” Brief stated in an interview with CBC Information. “In different phrases, he was the one who anchored the entire present.”

The 2 labored collectively each earlier than and after the sequence ended. Nevertheless it was on SCTV, Brief stated, the place Flaherty most instantly acted because the glue behind the scenes. 

“I relied on him desperately,” Brief stated. “I might be within the edit room modifying a chunk — I did not know what I used to be doing. And I would say ‘Joe, get in right here. Assist me!'”

Although he by no means attained fairly the identical blockbuster heights of a few of his castmates (or made the transfer over to U.S. competitor Saturday Night time Dwell as did a few of them), Flaherty’s was a well-known identify each in entrance of and behind the digital camera — particularly to fellow comedians. 

“Joe was at all times there within the background, pulling the strings, initiating issues, making issues occur. And I bought the good thing about it,” stated Dave Thomas, well-known as one half of SCTV’s Bob and Doug McKenzie duo.

“He was a pioneer and created a type of comedy that numerous comedians after us — like Judd Apatow and Adam Sandler and Conan O’Brien — credit score him for being a type of an innovator.”

Bigger than life

Thomas cited Flaherty’s use of darkish comedy “earlier than it was hip to be darkish,” and his writing: a larger-than-life expertise that earned him two Emmys and introduced him into the orbit of numerous different comedians. 

Alongside writing, directing and starring within the Levy-created Maniac Mansion from 1990 to 1993, Flaherty pulled the identical multi-hyphenate obligation on his comedy-anthology sequence Actually Bizarre Tales alongside O’Hara, Sweet and Brief.

With all that shared historical past, Thomas stated listening to about Flaherty’s dying by a brief textual content virtually did not appear actual.

“You are by no means actually ready once you get ‘Joe handed in the present day.’ Three phrases,” he stated. “And it is virtually like, not, that is not truthful — that each one the experiences, all of the laughs, all of the performances, all of the jokes, all of the exhibits may be condensed like that into three phrases. It is unhappy.”

WATCH | Flaherty on creating Actually Bizarre Tales: 

Joe Flaherty, post-SCTV, discusses Actually Bizarre Tales

The comic enlists former colleagues, together with Catherine O’Hara, for a brand new sequence he is producing. Aired July 9, 1986 on CBC’s Noon.

Flaherty regarded on his successes with humility. In accordance with The New York Occasions, he joked to an enormous crowd at SCTV‘s 2018 reunion that it was shocking anybody remembered them in any respect and that, earlier than the occasion, he “simply did not know if anyone would present up.”

However the group continued collaborating on and off, Flaherty stated, due to what they might do collectively.

“I would say the SCTV individuals carry to Hollywood a sure — I might say it is a capability to get probably the most out of a script … as nicely or higher than anyone else within the biz.” Flaherty informed CBC Information in 1986.

“It is merely a matter of realizing how… your half matches in with the remainder of the characters, after which methods to get probably the most out of it. That is the underside line, is to simply milk it for every part it is price.” 

After the present led to 1984, Flaherty went on to star in a number of different comedies, however established himself as a consummate performer with one other iconic position: Harold Weir within the comedy-drama Freaks and Geeks in 1999.

Although that sequence ran for only one season, like SCTV it went on to achieve cult standing and launch the careers of a technology of different comedians.  

‘So cool we thought he was Canadian’

Followers and former co-stars shared their condolences on X, quickly after information of his dying broke.

“Worshipped Joe rising up. At all times had me and my brother laughing,” wrote Sandler. “The nicest man you possibly can know. Genius of a comic. And a real sweetheart. Good combo.”

“I used to be so thrilled to have the ability to work with him,” stated actor Jennifer Tilly, who performed Flaherty’s daughter in 1997’s The Mistaken Man. “His efficiency was pitch good. An excellent comic. Gone too quickly.”

“Joe Flaherty, an American so cool we thought he was Canadian. Thanks, Floyd Robertson,” wrote Ontario comic Stewart Reynolds — referencing the long-lasting information reporter character Flaherty performed on SCTV.

Pittsburgh to Toronto

Flaherty earned his honorary Canadian standing from a long-running affiliation with the nation and a few of its most profitable sequence.

Born in Pittsburgh in 1941, Flaherty served with the U.S. air drive for 4 years earlier than becoming a member of Chicago improv group The Second Metropolis in 1969 — the place his time would overlap with future Saturday Night time Dwell star John Belushi and Ghostbusters actor and Groundhog Day director Harold Ramis.

He ultimately moved to Toronto, the place he would assist set up the Canadian arm of the troupe, paving the way in which for a profession that might be perpetually affiliated with Canada and Canadians. He would play Kirk Dirkwood on CTV’s David Steinberg Present, Mayor Andrews within the Canadian sitcom Name Me Fitz, and held a recurring position within the Vancouver-shot Robson Arms. He additionally made a visitor look on Royal Canadian Air Farce. 

He later grew to become a college member at Toronto’s Humber School, serving as an artist-in-residence and taking part within the school’s first comedy workshop in 1997. That workshop, stated writer and fellow teacher Andrew Clark, would later evolve into Humber’s present comedy program.

“Joe was a vital a part of that, as a result of he introduced different comedians of his stage, you recognize, in to satisfy with college students,” Clark stated, whereas reminiscing on how compassionate and dedicated Flaherty was with these college students, regardless of his legendary standing.

“I knew he was terrifically proficient. However that is after I realized that he had this entire different realm to him, which was as a type of mentor and an teacher,” he stated. “After which when it was over, I instantly went to a pay telephone and known as my dad and mom and stated, ‘Guess who I used to be simply in a room with?'” 

Flaherty was married to Judith Dagley for 22 years till the 2 divorced in 1996. The couple had two youngsters, Gudrun and Gabriel Flaherty.

I’m outraged and heartbroken by the deaths of seven humanitarian staff from World Central Kitchen, together with one American, in Gaza yesterday. They have been offering meals to hungry civilians in the course of a conflict. They have been courageous and selfless. Their deaths are a tragedy.

Israel has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into why the help staff’ autos have been hit by airstrikes. That investigation have to be swift, it should convey accountability, and its findings have to be made public. 

Much more tragically, this isn’t a stand-alone incident. This battle has been one of many worst in current reminiscence when it comes to what number of support staff have been killed. It is a main purpose why distributing humanitarian support in Gaza has been so tough – as a result of Israel has not carried out sufficient to guard support staff making an attempt to ship desperately wanted assist to civilians. Incidents like yesterday’s merely mustn’t occur. Israel has additionally not carried out sufficient to guard civilians. The USA has repeatedly urged Israel to deconflict their navy operations towards Hamas with humanitarian operations, with the intention to keep away from civilian casualties. 

The USA will proceed to do all we are able to to ship humanitarian help to Palestinian civilians in Gaza, via all out there means. I’ll proceed to press Israel to do extra to facilitate that support. And we’re pushing arduous for a direct ceasefire as a part of a hostage deal. I’ve a group in Cairo engaged on this proper now.

Earlier immediately, I spoke with my buddy Chef José Andrés, the founding father of World Central Kitchen, to convey my deepest condolences for the deaths of these brave support staff and to precise my continued assist for his and his group’s relentless and heroic efforts to get meals to hungry individuals across the globe. 

Could God bless the humanitarian staff killed yesterday and luxury their households and family members of their grief.

###

Comic Joe Flaherty, a founding member of the Canadian sketch sequence SCTV, has died on the age of 82.

His daughter confirmed to the Canadian Press he died Monday following a quick sickness.

Flaherty first made his mark on the comedy scene whereas at SCTV, enjoying characters like Depend Floyd, information anchor Floyd Robertson and the long-lasting character of SCTV station supervisor, Man Caballero.

A local of Pittsburgh, PA, Flaherty served in america Air Power for a number of years earlier than making the pivot to appearing. He moved to Chicago and joined the Second Metropolis Theatre troupe.

Later, he moved to Toronto and helped set up the Toronto Second Metropolis theatre troupe, which led to a starring position on SCTV as one of many authentic performers and writers.

He was a staple in tv comedies within the Nineties, together with an everyday position on the sitcom Maniac Mansion. He additionally spent a yr enjoying Cmdt. Stuart Hefilfinger within the short-lived Police Academy tv reboot.

In 1999 he took on what grew to become maybe his most memorable position, starring as Harold Weir within the now-cult favorite NBC comedy Freaks and Geeks. The present solely lasted one season, however Flaherty made his mark because the extremely irritable however loving dad to Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) and Sam Weir (John Francis Daly.)

He additionally made his foray into the world of cinema, together with the position of a sabotaging golf fan who yelled “Jackass!” each time Adam Sandler stepped as much as the tee in Blissful Gilmore.

Extra not too long ago, Flaherty had credit on Clone Excessive, Household Man, Huge Bang Concept and The King of Queens.

He additionally taught comedy writing to aspiring comedians at Humber School in Toronto, and served on this system’s advisory committee.

Fellow comedians and former castmates shared their condolences on social media Tuesday, remembering Flaherty as a humorous man who was all the time fast to attract out amusing.

Colin Mochrie mentioned he was “extremely lucky” to have labored with Flaherty.

Daly remembered his TV dad fondly, writing that his “favourite days on set have been those the place we had scenes collectively.”

“Dad was a rare man, identified for his boundless coronary heart and an unwavering ardour for films from the ’40s and ’50s,” Flaherty’s daughter, Gudrun Flaherty, wrote in an announcement issued Tuesday.

“Cinema wasn’t merely a pastime for him; it profoundly influenced his profession, notably his unforgettable time with SCTV. He cherished each second spent on the present, so happy with its success and so proud to be a part of an incredible solid.”

— with a file from The Canadian Press

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid put Philadelphia forward with 4 free throws within the closing 40 seconds and completed with 24 factors in his first recreation in 9 weeks following knee surgical procedure, main the 76ers to a 109-105 win over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Tuesday evening.

Embiid added seven assists and 6 rebounds in almost half-hour — however most vital, he introduced the boldness that the Sixers can salvage their season and make a postseason run with final season’s MVP within the lineup.

Embiid was congratulated by Corridor of Famer Allen Iverson after the sport.

“I assumed I used to be fairly dangerous,” Embiid stated. “I simply perceive. Often after I come again from this stuff, I feel 30, 40 (factors), no matter it takes to get the win. This time, it’s a bit of totally different. It’s going to take me some time to get again to myself and actually belief myself. So long as we win, I feel my largest affect is simply being on the market defensively.”

Chet Holmgren scored 22 factors to steer the Thunder, who fell one-half recreation behind Denver for the highest spot within the Western Convention. Minnesota moved right into a tie with Oklahoma Metropolis.

The Sixers trailed by 11 factors with 7:27 left earlier than they went on a torrid run. Kelly Oubre Jr. hit a 3 that acquired the comeback rolling, and Embiid capped it off with a sequence of free throws. Embiid hit two for a 106-105 lead and added two extra that made it 108-105. He made all 12 foul pictures on the evening.

Embiid sat exhausted on the scorer’s desk as the ultimate seconds ticked off earlier than he sauntered over to Iverson.

Oubre scored 25 factors and Tobias Harris had 18.

Embiid was injured on Jan. 30 at Golden State. He had meniscus surgical procedure on his left knee every week later, and the Sixers crashed within the East standings with out him. They’re at present eighth, 1 1/2 video games behind Miami.

With a wholesome Embiid, the 76ers at the very least have a greater probability to win a sequence or two within the playoffs.

“He alters them considerably,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault stated. “They play so much totally different stylistically when he’s in to the place they’ve been recently within the final 30 video games he’s been out or so. When he performs, it actually adjustments their strategy.”

The Thunder couldn’t maintain on within the fourth with All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out for the third time in 4 video games with a quad damage. Jalen Williams (ankle) additionally sat out for the Thunder. All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey (hip) was inactive for the 76ers.

Sixers coach Nick Nurse was impressed by the state of the Thunder, largely due to Gilgeous-Alexander’s play.

“I feel they’ve acquired a whole lot of stuff,” Nurse stated. “They’ve acquired an unbelievable famous person who’s pretty much as good as anyone within the league. They’ve acquired another rising superstars which might be superb gamers. They play a system that they’re all in tune with.”

UP NEXT

Thunder: At Boston on Wednesday.

76ers: At Miami on Thursday.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

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Girl Gaga and director Todd Phillips revealed that the primary trailer for ‘Joker: Folie á Deux’ will drop in a single week

Girl Gaga and director Todd Phillips are delivering a brand new have a look at Joker: Folie á Deux.

Each Gaga, 38, and Phillips, 53, shared on Instagram Tuesday a brand new poster for the sequel to 2019’s Joker and reveal that the primary trailer will drop on Tuesday, April 9.

“The world is a stage,” the pop star and actress wrote in a caption to her publish, together with the trailer launch date and an emoji of a enjoying card. The poster exhibits Gaga and costar Joaquin Phoenix carrying clown make-up as they dance.

Gaga and Phillips, who directed Phoenix, 49, as Arthur Fleck, a.okay.a. the Joker, in 2019’s Joker, have been teasing photographs and first seems on the sequel for months. Phillips most not too long ago shared new photographs of the pair to Instagram in February in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

Associated: Girl Gaga Celebrated thirty eighth Birthday at Prix-Fixe Dinner with Mates, Boyfriend: ‘He Let Her Shine’ (Unique)

Phoenix will reprise his position because the Joker within the sequel, which is ready to launch precisely 5 years after Joker launched in 2019. Gaga, in the meantime, is predicted to painting Dr. Harleen Quinzel, higher often known as Harley Quinn, whom Margot Robbie is thought for enjoying in numerous DC Studios motion pictures.

Associated: ‘Joker 2’ Cinematographer: Girl Gaga Was So Immersed in Her Character, It Feels Like I ‘By no means Even Met Her’

By no means miss a narrative — join PEOPLE’s free day by day publication to remain up-to-date on the very best of what PEOPLE has to supply​​, from superstar information to forcing human curiosity tales. 

Joker set box-office data upon its launch in 2019; Phoenix received his first Academy Award for enjoying the lead position in 2020. Phillips formally confirmed he was creating a sequel to the movie in June 2022. The identical month, PEOPLE confirmed Gaga was in talks to play Harley Quinn; Gaga herself confirmed her casting within the movie when she shared an animated video of her and Phoenix’s silhouettes set to music on social media in August 2022.

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Joker: Folie á Deux is out Oct. 4.

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PHILADELPHIA — When Joel Embiid barreled down the courtroom inside the ultimate 30 seconds of Tuesday evening’s sport in opposition to the Western Convention-leading Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, the sellout crowd inside Wells Fargo Heart rose to its toes.

In the meantime, 76ers coach Nick Nurse held his breath.

“Go sooner?” Nurse stated postgame, when requested what was going by way of his thoughts when he noticed Embiid driving the paint within the closing moments of a one-point sport after swiping the ball from Thunder guard Josh Giddey.

Seconds after the steal, Embiid, in his first sport in eight weeks after present process a process on the lateral meniscus in his left knee, jumped into Thunder heart Chet Holmgren on the rim. The collision despatched the rookie into the photographers behind the basket and Embiid to the free throw line. “Man, I used to be making an attempt to get the and-one,” Embiid stated postgame.

Embiid knocked down a pair of free throws, and after a closing sequence that noticed Oklahoma Metropolis miss three potential game-tying 3-pointers inside the ultimate 13 seconds of the sport, Embiid and the 76ers have been capable of have fun a 109-105 victory over the Thunder. Philly’s MVP large man was formally again.

General, it was an uneven efficiency for Embiid: 24 factors on 6-for-14 taking pictures however 12-for-12 from the foul line, to associate with 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and 6 turnovers in almost half-hour on the courtroom. Most significantly, Embiid appeared to emerge unscathed from a well being perspective, simply as he did from Saturday’s prolonged 5-on-5 observe, his first full session together with his teammates since Golden State Warriors ahead Jonathan Kuminga inadvertently fell on his leg throughout a sport on Jan. 30.

Now, the 76ers shift to Miami for one of many greatest remaining video games within the common season Thursday evening. Embiid, who was visibly exhausted at occasions throughout Tuesday’s win, stated the aim is to play in that sport, too.

“We simply gotta take it daily, see how the knee responds tomorrow,” Embiid stated. “We received a giant one in Miami. If I am good to go, clearly go.”

Tuesday’s sport, at the same time as fellow All-Star Tyrese Maxey and the workforce’s different beginning guard, De’Anthony Melton, watched in road garments, was an indication that this contender, with lower than two weeks to go within the common season, is near changing into entire.

“I would like us to go on a run to complete the season,” Embiid stated. “So, we received to take [the wins], and hold competing.”

As the remainder of the Japanese Convention’s contenders watch Embiid and the Sixers over their closing six video games of the common season, here is how the reigning MVP’s return might shake up the playoff race.

What Embiid means for Philadelphia on the courtroom

For Philadelphia, the subsequent two weeks are about two issues: getting Embiid up-to-speed and doing all the things attainable to keep away from the play-in event. Whereas Embiid’s return was an apparent increase, it confirmed how a lot his workforce has modified since he went out in late January. Earlier than Tuesday’s sport, Embiid had by no means performed a single second with beginning guards Kyle Lowry and Cameron Payne and sixth man Buddy Hield — all three arrived at or close to the Feb. 8 commerce deadline. Embiid’s victorious comeback additionally got here with fellow All-Star Tyrese Maxey sitting out for a second consecutive sport with a hip harm.

When Embiid is on the courtroom this season, Philadelphia is scoring 120.6 factors per 100 possessions and permitting 110.5. These would rank because the second-best offense and third-best protection within the NBA over a full season. However throughout Embiid’s harm, Philadelphia was outscored by 4.9 factors per 100 possessions, the ninth-worst mark within the league in that span.

Now, there are causes for optimism that the workforce assembled across the reigning MVP is healthier than the roster when Embiid went down. Lowry, the North Philadelphia native, has hit 39% of his 3-pointers as a Sixer, gives stable two-way play and has a priceless reference to 76ers coach Nick Nurse from their shared time along with the Toronto Raptors.

Hield, in the meantime, is the newest in a line of sharpshooting guards that transfer nicely off the ball who ought to slip proper into some glorious two-man sport actions with Embiid, simply as J.J. Redick and Seth Curry have with him prior to now. And Nicolas Batum, after lacking a number of chunks of time as a result of harm earlier within the 12 months, has grow to be a staple in Philadelphia’s lineup who might excel alongside Embiid and Harris within the 76ers’ frontcourt. One unknown is the standing of guard De’Anthony Melton, a key two-way participant for Philadelphia and, if wholesome, Maxey’s associate within the workforce’s beginning backcourt. Melton has performed in simply 5 of the 76ers’ final 44 video games due to ongoing again points, and his return timetable stays unclear.

Embiid’s affect on the East playoff image

Thursday’s matchup in Miami with the Warmth looms as a digital must-win for the 76ers to climb increased than eighth coming into the East play-in event. Miami additionally gained Tuesday, beating the New York Knicks, and can enter Thursday 1.5 video games up within the standings with a 2-1 lead within the season collection.

A Warmth win Thursday would imply they need to go simply 3-3 down the stretch to guarantee ending forward of Philadelphia by advantage of the head-to-head tiebreaker. (The Sixers, who misplaced the season collection 2-1 to the Indiana Pacers, fare no higher in a possible three-team tie.) Miami finishes with back-to-back house video games in opposition to the lottery-bound Toronto Raptors and is more likely to a minimum of break up its closing six video games.

If Philly wins to tie the season collection 2-2, that might push the tiebreaker to convention document. At 29-18, the Warmth are at the moment forward of the 76ers (27-21), however that is not settled but. Maybe extra importantly, a win Thursday would give Philadelphia a practical path to easily end forward of Miami within the standings.

After Miami, the 76ers end the season with 4 of their closing 5 video games in opposition to groups with bottom-eight information. Though the Orlando Magic have a greater document, Philadelphia would doubtless be favored within the remaining sport by advantage of enjoying at house with a wholesome Embiid.

If the Sixers win out, it is believable they may move each the Warmth and Pacers and keep away from the play-in altogether. Projections primarily based on ESPN’s Basketball Energy Index (BPI) confirmed Philly claiming a top-six seed in 6% of simulations earlier than Tuesday’s win.

The place the 76ers end has necessary implications for the highest half of the East standings as nicely. Not one of the convention’s high groups need to face the reigning MVP within the first spherical as a reward for incomes a top-three seed.

If Philadelphia wins the second play-in sport and claims the eighth seed it could imply a matchup in opposition to the top-seeded Boston Celtics for the second straight 12 months after the groups met within the 2023 convention semifinals. Count on renewed consideration on the potential of high seeds getting an opportunity to choose their opponents sooner or later.

Whereas the Sixers can be an atypically difficult No. 8 seed, Boston would certainly be favored in a first-round collection. So too would the No. 2 seed Milwaukee Bucks, albeit by a narrower margin. Whichever workforce finishes third out of the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Orlando Magic, might discover themselves a first-round underdog in opposition to Philadelphia with Embiid.