Joel Embiid could return from injury earlier than expected, with the Philadelphia 76ers star poised to feature in Tuesday’s NBA game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The reigning NBA MVP, who has been out of action with a knee injury since January, is reportedly set to rejoin the 76ers this week, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Philadelphia, who are 40-35, have fallen down the standings since Embiid’s injury setback, currently eighth in the Eastern Conference with seven games remaining.
Watch an average of 9 NBA Regular Season games per week LIVE on ESPN, available via Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
Meanwhile, Devin Booker produced a 52-point masterpiece as the Phoenix Suns eclipsed the New Orleans Pelicans 124-111 on Monday.
Booker boosted Phoenix’s hopes of overtaking New Orleans for an automatic playoff berth with a dazzling performance on the road at the Pelicans’ Smoothie King Center.
The Phoenix win — which ensured that the Minnesota Timberwolves have clinched a playoff spot — leaves the Suns just one win behind sixth-placed New Orleans.
As things stand Phoenix are now 44-31 and on course for the Western Conference play-in tournament.
However, New Orleans (45-30) face a nerve-racking finale to the regular season, knowing that one slip could be fatal.
All five of Phoenix’s starters posted double digit points totals, with Kevin Durant finishing with 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Jusuf Nurkic adding 19 points with 19 rebounds.
Zion Williamson led the New Orleans scoring with 30 points while Trey Murphy added 21.
Elsewhere on Monday, Jayson Tatum and Sam Hauser both scored 25 points as the Boston Celtics romped past the Charlotte Hornets 118-104 in North Carolina.
Boston, who have already secured top spot in the Eastern Conference, were stung by the Hornets in a surprise upset defeat earlier this season.
But despite trailing early on in Monday’s game, there was little chance of a repeat defeat after the Celtics cut loose to open up a commanding 19-point advantage in the fourth quarter.
Hauser’s 25-point contribution off the bench included seven three-pointers while starters Kristaps Porzingis (20), Derrick White (19) and Al Horford (15) also made double figures.
Tatum said Monday’s victory was cause for encouragement as the playoffs loom into view with less than a fortnight of the regular season remaining.
“Last year we were so antsy to get back to the finals, that we had a few bad losses in the last few weeks of the season,” Tatum said.
“We may have taken some things for granted.
“This year we’ve done a great job of not skipping steps and respecting every game, every day, trying to get better — as cliche as that sounds.”