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Does anyone else consider airports are worldwide waters, so nothing counts when consuming meals and alcohol there?
About Embiid’s Return
Literal huge strikes occurred final night time
A strong 27-8. That’s the 76ers’ document this season — a 63-win tempo — when Joel Embiid performs. Whether or not he’s dropping 70 as a consequence of being in a rhythm or pulling off triple-doubles, Philly (41-35, eighth in East) wins when the reigning MVP is on the courtroom.
Embiid lastly returned final night time after not taking part in since Jan. 30 (meniscus surgical procedure), so there have been loads of occasions he appeared gassed or out of rhythm. Total, he performed half-hour and completed with 24 factors, seven assists, six rebounds, six turnovers and three steals within the 109-105 victory over the Thunder (52-23, third in West). Contemplating the circumstances, Embiid gave the Sixers an outstanding effort. Although OKC was lacking Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, Philly was attempting to work its centerpiece again into the combination with out fellow All-Star Tyrese Maxey. After the sport, Jared Greenberg requested Embiid on TNT how he felt in his first motion again. Embiid stated:
“Not good. However I’m glad we received via, and we received the win.”
24 PTS | 7 ASTS | 6 REBS | 3 STLS
welcome again, Joel!
introduced by @PALottery pic.twitter.com/vSmLMFY7NW
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 3, 2024
At sure factors, Embiid appeared like he was going to throw up. It appeared like a type of coaching montages in a army film the place the cadets are puking from exhaustion. There have been occasions when Embiid didn’t even get again on offense, opting to remain on the defensive finish of the ground. With six video games now left to play, Embiid went via Philly’s hardest remaining opponent and received a W. The Sixers have their large again and the NBA’s best remaining schedule over the subsequent week and a half.
Possibly they’ll win out and leapfrog Miami (42-33, seventh in East) and Indiana (43-33) for sixth within the East to keep away from the Play-In.
Extra from final night time:
Warriors 104, Mavs 100: Golden State (41-34, Tenth in West) survived 57 factors from Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Draymond Inexperienced got here up enormous within the fourth to safe the house win because the Warriors ended Dallas’ seven-game win streak.
Wolves 113, Rockets 106: Houston (38-37, eleventh in West) couldn’t cease Naz Reid or get again on monitor, so the Rockets dropped three video games behind the Warriors with seven left to play. Minnesota (52-23, second in West) is half a sport behind West-leading Denver (53-23).
Wizards 117, Bucks 113: No Damian Lillard doesn’t imply there’s an excuse to lose to this Wizards squad (15-61, 14th in East). Corey Kispert led the ‘Zards with 27 factors. After the sport, Doc Rivers questioned the professionalism of the whole highway employees.
battled ’til the tip.
Naz – 25 PTS / 6 REB / 2 STLAnt – 21 PTS / 5 REB / 2 STLMike – 14 PTS / 6 AST / 3 STLSlowmo – 13 PTS / 6 REB / 9 AST / 2 STL / 2 BLKRudy – 12 PTS / 14 REB / 2 BLKJMac – 11 PTS / 7 AST pic.twitter.com/N77IL4auIz
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 3, 2024
Deni and Corey had that concord 😂#ForTheDistrict | @MonSportsNet pic.twitter.com/Ar2jEWvT5h
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) April 3, 2024
Lakers 128, Raptors 111: The Lakers (43-33, ninth in West) have received seven of eight. Regardless of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley returning, Toronto (23-52, twelfth in East) misplaced its 14th straight sport, marking the second-longest dropping streak in staff historical past.
Warmth 109, Knicks 99: Terry Rozier had 34 factors as New York (44-31, fifth in East) couldn’t come again from a 15-point halftime deficit. Miami is a half sport out of sixth.
Kings 109, Clippers 95: No Kawhi Leonard meant Sacramento (44-31, seventh in West) completely shut down the Clippers (47-28, fourth in West) to maneuver inside a sport of sixth.
Cavs 129, Jazz 113: Caris LeVert had 26 factors to ship Utah (29-47, twelfth in West) to its Tenth-straight loss. Cleveland (46-30) is 1.5 video games behind Milwaukee for second.
The Newest From Shams
Ionescu-Curry contest might evolve
The Sabrina Ionescu vs. Stephen Curry 3-point contest was a spotlight of All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis this yr, and it appears very seemingly we get a rematch.
“At this level Stephen Curry versus Sabrina Ionescu could be very seemingly for subsequent yr…I’m instructed with Caitlin Clark and probably Klay Thompson to make it 2v2.”
The NBA is seeking to up the ante for subsequent yr’s All-Star Weekend 👏
(by way of @RunItBackFDTV)pic.twitter.com/2XuZDWLXw2
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 2, 2024
With 2025 All-Star Weekend within the Bay Space, I’m instructed there’s speak of the competition evolving right into a 2v2 competitors, probably with Caitlin Clark, whom many anticipate to be the highest decide within the WNBA Draft later this month, becoming a member of Ionescu and Klay Thompson (and even Oakland native Damian Lillard) becoming a member of Curry. I’ve additionally been instructed that Curry has particularly raised the potential of Thompson taking part within the contest subsequent yr, although it must be famous that Thompson will likely be an unrestricted free agent this summer season.
Glad Wembsday!
Is Wemby hyperbole-proof? Can we go too far?
In a 110-105 loss to the reigning champion Denver Nuggets, Victor Wembanyama rattling close to registered a quadruple-double. Whereas Wemby had a hellish night time attempting to defend Nikola Jokić (who dropped 42 factors on 18-of-32 capturing to go along with 16 rebounds and 6 assists), he additionally made life fairly troublesome for the Nuggets. The rookie phenom completed with 23 factors, 15 rebounds, 9 blocks and eight assists.
Sure, he’s the one rookie to ever put up a sport like that. And sure, if you wish to throw some chilly water on it, he was horrible capturing the ball (9-of-29 general 2-of-11 from deep, 3-of-6 from the road). However there will likely be nights Wemby has unhealthy nights whereas flirting with a quadruple-double. He even had two clutch blocks (one on Jokić, one other an incomprehensible problem by Reggie Jackson) within the remaining two-plus minutes. Sadly for the Spurs, Wemby couldn’t convert sufficient on offense to safe the win.
For those who’ve been on Twitter over the past decade, you already know DragonflyJonez and LaJethroJenkins. You additionally know their unbelievable podcast “Jenkins And Jonez,” which is co-hosted by Mike Guardabascio. They had been speaking about Wemby and stated he has the potential to be the best basketball participant ever whereas acknowledging it’s far too early to actually get into these talks (WARNING: Language. Use your headphones). They’re one hundred pc appropriate. Wemby is that particular of a participant.
I ran some numbers simply to see his early profession tempo. In an effort to stay conservative, I used Wemby’s present averages (21.2 factors, 10.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and three.5 blocks) whereas projecting him to play 70 video games per season over a 15-year profession. Underneath these circumstances, he’d end with:
No one has ever reached all 4 of these benchmarks for a profession (granted, the NBA didn’t begin monitoring blocks till 1973-74). By eradicating the blocks qualifier, solely LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Karl Malone, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Charles Barkley populate that listing. For those who hold the blocks and take away the assists, Wemby would be a part of solely Hakeem Olajuwon. Conservatively talking, Wemby is on tempo to be the most effective participant we’ve ever seen. That’s with out counting the MVPs, DPOYs, All-NBA nods and championships he’ll find yourself successful.
Goodbye, Utah
The Jazz received’t tank, so what’s subsequent?
For the second straight yr, Utah has been principally OK in competing. The second half of this season has seen the Jazz problem for having the worst protection of all time, however they refuse to all-out tank. So, the place do they go this summer season? Given their current elimination from the Play-In Event, let’s tie a fairly bow on Utah’s season.
Utah’s brilliant spot from this season? Couple of issues occurred for them. 1) Lauri Markannen confirmed he wasn’t a one-year flash within the pan and that he’s a legit star scorer. 2) Keyonte George proved to be a reputable lead-guard-of-the-future possibility for them.
Key free brokers for Utah: Talen Horton-Tucker, Kira Lewis Jr. (restricted free agent), Kris Dunn
Largest place to deal with: They want lots of assistance on the perimeter, notably with defending. Walker Kessler hasn’t been the identical rim protector as a result of there’s simply no resistance in entrance of him. The Jazz have to get guys who can play all over the place on each ends of the ground.
What’s the draft decide state of affairs? Not solely do the Jazz have their very own decide (except it falls exterior of the highest 10), however in addition they obtain the least-favorable first-rounder from a gaggle of 4 groups, which is able to seemingly be the Thunder’s first-round choice within the late 20s.
Will they’ve cap area? The Jazz can get a couple of million beneath the cap in the event that they so select, but it surely’s not sufficient area to make use of in a big manner. Extra seemingly than not, they won’t have cap area or will likely be simply barely beneath.
2023-24 yearbook quote: “The job is rarely Finnished.”
acquainted faces within the constructing, all love 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/ZmD9tjnzFg
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 3, 2024
Bounce Passes
My newest NBA Energy Rankings could have jinxed the Mavericks final night time.
On The Athletic NBA Present Podcast, Jay King pretended to be A-Rod and Josh Huestis pretended to be Glen Taylor as they argued over Wolves possession.
LeBron says Bronny has ‘powerful choices to make’ quickly.
Display Recreation (All occasions Japanese)
Major Display: Thunder-Celtics (7:30 p.m. ESPN). Hopefully SGA performs as a result of this might be a Finals preview.
Second Display: Cavs-Suns (10 p.m. ESPN). Two wholesome squads right here would make an unbelievable showdown.
League Move Recreation of the Night time: Magic-Pelicans (8 p.m.). Do you like protection? These are two of the most effective defensive squads within the NBA. Full schedule right here.
(Prime picture: Matthew Stockman / Getty Photos)
