Antetokounmpo's 40 points, late block lead Bucks past 76ers
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 40 points and had a game-deciding block of Joel Embiid in the final seconds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 118-116 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in a matchup of two of the Eastern Conferenceโs top teams.
Denver tops short-handed 76ers hit with virus, injuries
Denver Nuggets' Jamal Murray, left, blocks the shot attempt by Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Philadelphia. Nikola Jokic had 15 points and 12 assists to lead the Denver Nuggets past Philadelphia 115-103 on Saturday, beating a 76ers team that had only seven available players. Gary Harris scored 21 points for the Nuggets, who played without Michael Porter Jr. (19.5 points per game) because of health and safety protocols. Danny Green was the only regular in Phillyโs starting lineup, joined by backups Dakota Mathias, Dwight Howard, Joe and Maxey. Maxey scored on a fastbreak dunk and Joe hit consecutive 3s to tie the game at 26.
Torrid shooting helps 76ers rout previously unbeaten Magic
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Joel Embiid had 21 points and nine rebounds in three quarters and the Philadelphia 76ers handed the Orlando Magic their first loss with a 116-92 victory on Thursday night. Simmons, who sank just the third 3-pointer of his career in the first quarter, finished with nine points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Nikola Vucevic finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Magic, while rookie guard Cole Anthony scored 16 points off the bench. Orlando was without reserve guard Terrence Ross โ its leading scorer at 21 points per game โ because of a right hamstring irritation. The Magic also lost starting guard Evan Fournier eight minutes into the game because of back spasms.
Celtics: Gordon Hayward out 4 weeks with right ankle sprain
The injury occurred in the fourth quarter of the Celtics' 109-101 victory Monday night when he went up for a rebound and rolled his ankle as he landed on teammate Daniel Theis' foot. Hayward played 34 minutes and scored 12 points on 5-for-13 shooting with four rebounds before the injury, which the team described as a Grade 3 sprain, the most severe type. The timeline for recovery means Hayward will miss the rest of the first round at a minimum and possibly some of the second if the Celtics advance. With Hayward out, it could mean a shift to a three-guard lineup and more minutes for Marcus Smart, who has been filling the role of Boston's sixth man. The Celtics went 14-6 without Hayward this season.
Lillard drops 51 as Trail Blazers top 76ers; Embiid injured
On Saturday, he missed a pair of free throws with 18.6 seconds to go and a 3-pointer with 9.5 seconds left in a 122-117 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Trail Blazers increased their chances of qualifying for the play-in series, which will start Saturday. Richardson missed a 3-pointer for Philadelphia, and the 76ers couldn't get another shot off after a scramble for the rebound. Trail Blazers: Lillard scored a basket in the first quarter when he drove to the hoop and his pass bounced off Philadelphia's Tobias Harris, off the backboard and into the basket. Trail Blazers: Play the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.
Warren scores career-high 53 as Pacers beat 76ers 127-121
I just wanted to be aggressive, do what I do best, Warren said. Tobias Harris scored 30 points for Philadelphia, and Ben Simmons had 19 points and 13 rebounds. But the leading trio for the Sixers wasn't enough to overcome Warren, who matched a franchise record with 19 points in the first quarter. He punished us tonight from the beginning of the game on.The Pacers got the restart-opening win without two starters. The Sixers were down 35-29 after the first and had eight turnovers, including two each from Embiid and Milton.