Sports
Joel Embiid, 76ers overwhelm Nets
Jan 4, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) is guarded by Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Joel Embiid totaled 28 points and 12 rebounds in three quarters as the Philadelphia 76ers overcame an extremely early 11-point deficit and rolled to a 123-94 victory over the short-handed Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night in New York.
Embiid made 8 of 16 shots, hit all 10 free throws and played 29 minutes en route to his fourth double-double in 13 games this season.
Playing with Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George for the 10th time this season, the 76ers bounced back nicely from Thursday’s 139-105 loss at Golden State. Philadelphia outscored Brooklyn 123-83 after allowing the game’s first 11 points and won for the 12th time in 19 games since dropping five straight from Nov. 12-20.
Maxey added 18 for Philadelphia, which led by double-digits for the final 29:23 and held the lead for the final 41:39 after a dunk by Embiid. George and Caleb Martin contributed 17 apiece as the Sixers shot 51.2 percent and sank 15 3s in their most lopsided victory this season.
Ziaire Williams led the Nets with 19 points, Tyrese Martin added 16 and Keon Johnson contributed 15 as Brooklyn shot 41 percent and allowed 32 points off 22 turnovers.
The Nets lost for the 12th time in 16 games. The team announced Cameron Johnson sprained his right ankle in Thursday’s win at Milwaukee and will miss the next three games.
Brooklyn also dropped its fifth straight home game after announcing leading scorer Cam Thomas sustained a strained left hamstring Thursday and will be reevaluated after the West Coast road trip Jan. 10-19.
Brooklyn also played without Ben Simmons (left calf soreness) and lost D’Angelo Russell to a bruised right shin at halftime of Saturday’s game.
Embiid picked up a technical foul for shoving Keon Johnson going for a rebound with 8:15 left in the opening quarter, when he scored 15 as the Sixers took a 29-19 lead after allowing the game’s first 11 points.
The Sixers held a 13-point lead when Embiid and George returned with about five minutes left in the second and expanded their lead to 64-47 by halftime.
Embiid hit Maxey with a nice bounce pass for a reverse layup and the guard finished the three-point play for a 72-49 lead less than three minutes into the second half. The Sixers pushed the lead to 91-66 entering the fourth, allowing the center to get a rest.
–Field Level Media
Sports
76ers' Joel Embiid to home fans: 'Don't sell your tickets'
May 2, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) scores a three pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers with 25 seconds to go in game six of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images It’s just a little more than 100 miles from Madison Square Garden in New York to Xfinity Mobile Arena in South Philadelphia — a relatively short car ride or train trip for Knicks fans who wanted to see their team in action against the 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
But 76ers star Joel Embiid, who was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player and a first-team All-Pro selection in the 2022-23 season, wants no part of Knicks fans invading his team’s home arena.
In his postgame interview Saturday night after the Sixers stunned the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of their series to advance, he put 76ers fans on notice.
Don’t sell your playoff tickets — especially not to Knicks fans.
New Yorkers overtook the Philadelphia arena two years ago when the No. 2-seeded Knicks eliminated the No. 7 Sixers in the opening round of the postseason. It has been presumed that Knicks fans bought their tickets from 76ers fans.
“I just have a message for our fans,” Embiid said Saturday night. “Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like [Philadelphia] was Madison Square Garden East. We’re going to need the support.
“Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys.”
Embiid offered a solution, if need be.
“Knicks fans travel — they buy tickets,” he said. “There’s going to be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you guys. We need the support, and we need them to be extremely loud. If you need money, I’ve got you.”
The Eastern Conference semifinal between the teams begins Monday in New York, with Game 2 set for Wednesday. The series will move to Philadelphia on Friday for Game 3, followed by Game 4 on Saturday.
The Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks in six games to advance.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jannik Sinner wins Madrid, shatters record for consecutive ATP Masters 1000 titles
Mar 29, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates his victory over Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in the final of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images Jannik Sinner became the first player to capture five straight ATP Masters 1000 titles when he breezed past Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-2 on Sunday in the Mutua Madrid Open final.
The 24-year-old Italian, who ranks No. 1 in the world, started his unprecedented streak in France by winning the Paris Masters on Nov. 2. He set the record there for losing the fewest number of games (29).
Sinner won the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March, where he became the first player not to lose a set in two consecutive ATP Masters 1000 events. He followed that by claiming the Miami Open, the Monte-Carlo Masters and now the Mutua Madrid Open. The last four victories have come in a nine-week span.
In Sunday’s win over the second-seeded Zverev, Sinner never faced a break point while converting all four of his break points against Zverev. Of his 29 first serves that landed, he won the point on 27 (93.1%). He averaged 130 miles per hour on his first serves compared to Zverev’s 124 mph.
Sinner needed just 25 minutes to complete the first set and 31 minutes to take the second set and wrap up his ninth consecutive win over Zverev. The German sensed the match might go this way.
“He’s world No. 1 and hasn’t lost a match since the beginning of February,” Zverev told reporters after capturing his semifinal match on Friday. “Right now he’s definitely the best player in the world. I have to play very, very good tennis to have a chance.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Raptors' Brandon Ingram downgraded to doubtful for Game 7
Apr 26, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) shoots the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) defends during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram was seen in a walking boot during the team’s shootaround on Sunday morning, several hours before Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the host Cleveland Cavaliers.
Ingram initially was listed as questionable to play due to right heel inflammation. He was downgraded to doubtful when the NBA released its official injury report early in the afternoon.
An All-Star this season for the second time in his career, Ingram was limited to 11 minutes and scored one point in Toronto’s 125-120 setback to Cleveland in Game 5 on Wednesday. He did not play in Toronto’s 112-110 overtime victory in Game 6 on Friday.
During the regular season, the 28-year-old Ingram averaged a team-high 21.5 points over 77 games. He also averaged 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists and drilled 38.2% of his 3-point attempts.
–Field Level Media
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76ers' Joel Embiid to home fans: 'Don't sell your tickets'
