I bet this made George Hill happier.
The Kings still losing to the Raptors, 108-93, probably didn’t, though.
Three things to know: Joel Embiid returns, scores final 11 vs. Hawks
Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Three Things is NBC’s five-days-a-week wrap-up of the night before in the NBA. Check out NBCSports.com every weekday morning to catch up on what you missed the night before plus the rumors, drama, and dunks that make the NBA must-watch.
1) Joel Embiid returns, scores final 11 vs. Hawks in 76ers win
The 76ers went 3-1 with Joel Embiid sidelined by a left mid-foot sprain, but they are so much more a dangerous team with him.
Embiid scored the 76ers’ final 11 points of the game against the Hawks, including the go-ahead 10-foot jumper with 18.6 seconds left, to cap a 30-point night and lift the Sixers past the Hawks 104-101.
https://t.co/Cfacr00HJT pic.twitter.com/C9KDW2X8z8
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 29, 2022
Embiid was making critical defensive plays down the stretch as well.
OH MY GOODNESS JOEL pic.twitter.com/fxbZ7UF8TF
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) November 29, 2022
Embiid finished with 30 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. That’s five straight 30+ point games for Embiid, who picked up right where he left off before the injury.
Well, not exactly pick up at the start as Embiid was 1-of-7 shooting to open the game, and he wasn’t the only Sixers rusty at the start. Embiid seemed focused on sharing the ball early but settled into an offensive balance as the game went on. Philly was saved by a solid defensive night.
The 76ers continue to pick up wins with James Harden and Tyrese Maxey out, which is a good sign going forward.
That’s three-straight losses for the Hawks, a loss that stings because they should have been able to dominate the shorthanded 76ers backcourt and get the win.
2) Karl-Anthony Towns goes down with concerning leg injury
Let’s hope the optimistic report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN is right and this isn’t as severe as it looked. Because it looked bad.
Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony simply was pushing off to run back upcourt when he fell to the ground — without contact — grabbing his knee and calf.
KAT suffered a non-contact injury and was helped to the locker room.
Prayers up 🙏 pic.twitter.com/NpitMW9arI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 29, 2022
Towns was helped back to the locker room and did not return, with the Timberwolves officially saying he was out for the rest of the night with a calf strain.
Karl-Anthony Towns (Right Calf Strain) is OUT for the remainder of tonight's game.
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) November 29, 2022
A calf strain would be the best possible outcome. An MRI Monday will tell us more.
Towns’ stats are down this season as he adjusts to the odd fit of playing next to Rudy Gobert, but he is still averaging 21.4 points and 8.5 rebounds a game.
The Wizards got a monster night from Kristaps Porzingis — a career-high 41 points — on their way to a 142-127 victory. When Porzingis is on this Washington team is tough to beat.
KP ties his career-high single game point total at 40 .. and the game's not over yet pic.twitter.com/tkgFXLCGzY
— NBC Sports Wizards (@NBCSWizards) November 29, 2022
3) Big shots fall at Lakers’ game
Two big shots defined the night at the crypto.com arena Monday.
First, Lakers fan Jamie Murry of Downey won $75,000 with a half-court shot — and he got to celebrate with Anthony Davis.
Sink the @MGMRewards Big Shot Jackpot ✅
HIt the Griddy ✅
Celebrate with AD ✅ pic.twitter.com/kDqbSobdS2— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 29, 2022
The second one hurt the Lakers more. Pacers’ rookie Andrew Nembhard drained a game-winning 3-pointer as time expired.
Andrew Nembhard hits the #TissotBuzzerBeater to win it for the @Pacers! #TimingEmotions pic.twitter.com/lFv43RTHxG
— NBA (@NBA) November 29, 2022
The Lakers got lost in the scramble. On the initial action, Russell Westbrook doubled Bennedict Mathurin in the corner, which left the screen setter Myles Turner open at the top for a clean look at a 3 — but he was short and came off the front of the rim. Tyrese Haliburton out-hustled everyone to the rebound and tried to create his own shot but saw Nembhard wide open and kicked him the rock.
Ballgame.
The Pacers split their two games in Los Angeles at the start of a seven-game road trip through the West.
The Lakers had won 5-of-6 against a soft part of the schedule but that is about to change and over the next few weeks we will get a sense of where this 7-12 team really stands.
Watch Pacers’ Andrew Nembhard drain game-winning 3 to beat Lakers
LeBron James and Anthony Davis were on the court together (and combined for 46 points and 20 rebounds). Russell Westbrook continued to thrive as a sixth man with 24 points.
But the biggest shot of the night belonged to Pacers’ rookie Andrew Nembhard — a game-winning 3-pointer as time expired.
Andrew Nembhard hits the #TissotBuzzerBeater to win it for the @Pacers! #TimingEmotions pic.twitter.com/lFv43RTHxG
— NBA (@NBA) November 29, 2022
It was a well-designed play and when Westbrook chased and doubled Bennedict Mathurin in the corner it left the screen setter, Myles Turner, wide open for a clean look at a 3 — but he hit the front of the rim. The long rebound caromed out, Tyrese Haliburton grabbed it and tried to create, but then he saw Nembhard wide open and kicked him the rock.
Ballgame.
The Pacers split their two games in Los Angeles at the start of a seven-game road trip through the West that will test the surprising Pacers.
For the Lakers… they have some hard decisions to make coming up.
Karl-Anthony Towns helped off court after non-contact calf injury
Hopefully this is not as bad as it looks.
Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony was trying to run back upcourt and went to the ground — without contact — grabbing his knee and calf. He had to be helped off the court.
KAT suffered a non-contact injury and was helped to the locker room.
Prayers up 🙏 pic.twitter.com/NpitMW9arI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 29, 2022
The Timberwolves officially ruled Towns out for the rest of the night with a calf strain.
Karl-Anthony Towns (Right Calf Strain) is OUT for the remainder of tonight's game.
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) November 29, 2022
A right calf strain would be the best possible outcome, but an MRI will provide more details in the next 24 hours. This had the markings of something much worse, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports optimism that Towns avoided something serious.
Towns is averaging 214 points and 8.5 rebounds a game, and while his numbers are off this season — just 32.8% on 3-pointers, down from 39.3% for his career — as he tries to adjust to playing next to Rudy Gobert, he’s still one of the game’s elite big men.
The Wizards went on to beat the Timberwolves 142-127 behind 41 from Kristaps Porzingis.
Suns promote GM James Jones to President of Basketball Operations
Barry Gossage / NBAE via Getty Images
James Jones put together the roster that took the Suns to the Finals two seasons ago and had the best record in the NBA last season (64 wins). At 13-6, the Suns sit atop the Western Conference this season.
The Suns have rewarded Jones, giving him the title of President of Basketball Operations on top of GM.
“In the nearly 15 years I have known James, he has excelled in every role he performed, from player to NBPA Treasurer to his roles in our front office, most recently as general manager,” Suns interim Governor Sam Garvin said. “James has the unique ability to create and lead high-performing teams in basketball operations and his commitment to collaborating with our business side, including at the C-level with partners like PayPal and Verizon, is second to none. We are fortunate for his contributions across the organization and this promotion recognizes his commitment to excellence.”
Jones moved into the Suns’ front office in 2017 at the end of a 14-year playing career, then became GM in 2019. The move gives Jones a little more stability during the sale of the franchise. Not that the new owner would come in and fire a successful GM.
“I am grateful for the privilege to work with and support the players, staff and employees of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury,” Jones said in a statement. “The collective efforts of our business and basketball operations have allowed us to provide an amazing atmosphere and best-in-class experience for our fans and community. I remain excited about and dedicated to driving success for our Teams on and off the court.”
Jones has made several moves that set the culture in Phoenix, including hiring Monty Williams as coach then, after an undefeated run in the bubble (that left Phoenix just out of the playoffs), he brought in Chris Paul to take charge at the point.
