RealGM Basketball Wiretap

21 November 2024

• Paul George Leaves Game With Hyperextended Knee, Will Undergo Further Testing On Thursday

  Paul George left the Philadelphia 76ers' 117-111 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half due to a hyperextended knee.

  George, who did not return to the game, will undergo further testing on Thursday.

  George hyperextended the same knee earlier this preseason and missed five regular season games.

  Nick Nurse ruled out structural damage to the knee.

  "I think they said it was similar to last time, which was a bone bruise, I think. He was actually fairly close to coming back in the game, but then it kind of stiffened up as he got out a little bit more, so I decided not to, and now we got to take a look at it, make sure," said Nurse.

• Nick Nurse, Daryl Morey Not In Danger Of Being Fired

  While the Philadelphia 76ers are just 2-11 to start the 24-25 season, sources tell The Athletic that there are no internal discussions underway on the job status of either Nick Nurse or Daryl Morey.

  The Sixers want to evaluate their team once they finally have the opportunity to put Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George on the floor at the same time.

  The Sixers hired Nurse as head coach in 2023 to replace Doc Rivers. Morey was hired in November 2020 and signed an extension through 27-28 last December.

• Tyrese Maxey Challenged Joel Embiid During Post-Game Meeting

  Tyrese Maxey challenged Joel Embiid after the Philadelphia 76ers' loss to the Miami Heat on Monday, reports Shams Charania.

  Maxey called out Embiid about being late "for everything" and how it impacts the locker room. Maxey and Embiid have a close friendship and have a history of holding each other accountable.

  "Tyrese loves Big Fella, but this is the elephant in the room," a person involved in the meeting told ESPN.

  Embiid accepted the message sent by Maxey, but said he is sometimes confused by what the Sixers are trying to execute on the court.

  Players also told Nick Nurse they want to be coached harder. Coaches said they want players to practice with purpose and attention to detail.

• Sixers Hold Extended Meeting Following Loss To Heat

  The Philadelphia 76ers had an extended team meeting following their 106-89 loss to the Miami Heat. Nick Nurse didn't address the media until more than one after the final buzzer of the game.

  Nurse described the meeting as player- and coach-driven, but declined to reveal many details about the discussion. The Sixers are 2-11 and must go 44-25 the rest of the way to reach the same number of wins Miami had last season as the No. 8 seed.

  "We can only ever find out until we play another game, right?" he said. "We can only ever find out [when] we get to practice and see what the level of focus and energy is like, and then when we get to our next game.

  "But, yeah, they were very attentive and very communicative."

  Paul George declined to speak with the media, which left Jared McCain and Caleb Martin to handle a large portion of it. Joel Embiid also spoke with reporters.
• Sixers Not Deviating From Plan To Prioritize Health Of Stars For Playoffs Over Regular Season Record

  The Philadelphia 76ers have started the season 2-9 with Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey each missing significant time, but sources tell ESPN's Tim Bontemps that there is no changes long-term when it comes to how they will handle their stars' playing time this season.

  The Sixers' goal is to get Embiid and George to the playoffs as healthy as possible and do not feel compelled to change that strategy to improve their place in the standings.

  The Sixers have eight games on the schedule before their next back-to-back, which should allow Embiid and George to develop continuity in their first season playing together.

  George's minutes restriction has also ended.

• Joel Embiid, Paul George Ruled Out For Second Night Of Back-To-Back Against Cavs

  Joel Embiid and Paul George have been ruled out by the Philadelphia 76ers for their game on Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which is the second night of a back-to-back. Both Embiid and George are managing a left knee injury.

  The Sixers were defeated by the New York Knicks on Tuesday by a final score of 111-99. Embiid, in his first game of the season, scored 13 points to go with three rebounds and five assist in 26 minutes. George had 29 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.

  The Sixers enter Wednesday's game against the undefeated Cavaliers with a 2-8 record.

• Joel Embiid Says He Wants To Play In Back-To-Backs, Decision With Sixers

  Joel Embiid reopened up the possibility of playing in back-to-backs, perhaps as early as Wednesday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

  "I mean, I want to.," Embiid said. "That's up to those guys. I know I said I'll never play back-to-backs, but I'm a troll so I'm sure at some point, I'll play, but if I feel good. I feel good right now. We're gonna see, but it's up to them."

  Embiid made those comments after his regular season debut as he scored 13 points on 2-for-11 shooting in 26 minutes during the Philadelphia 76ers' 111-99 loss to the New York Knicks.

  "I felt OK," Embiid said afterward. "The first five minutes were rough, but I guess that's what happens when you haven't played in a while. I felt after that, I still should be rusty. That's expected, but I thought overall, I felt pretty good health-wise. I think it's just my trust in myself. I thought I was a little timid so I stuck with a lot of jumpers just to get myself a little comfortable, but as the games go, and I'll get back to myself, it's gonna be easier."

• Sixers Willing To Trade Future First Round Picks

  The Philadelphia 76ers currently have two future first round picks and three swaps available to trade on the open market to improve their roster around Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. As the Sixers were a cap space team this past offseason, they are below the second apron and have more flexibility than some other contenders.

  "I have been told repeatedly, the Sixers are willing to put first round draft capital on the table for players they will then have to go into the second apron to re-sign next summer," said Fischer.

  While Maxey is out with a hamstring injury, the Sixers will have Embiid make his season debut next week.

• Clippers Likely Would Have Traded Paul George To Warriors If Jonathan Kuminga Was Offered

  The LA Clippers likely would have agreed to a Paul George trade with the Golden State Warriors if Jonathan Kuminga was offered, reports Sam Amick of The Athletic. Kuminga was discussed in some scenarios, but the Warriors later pulled him off the table. Kuminga was the only young player on the Warriors that the Clippers viewed as a potential star.

  Brandin Podziemski was also on the Clippers' wish list, but he also wasn't made available by the Warriors.

  The most realistic offer for the Clippers was Andrew Wiggins, Chris Paul, Moses Moody and a first round pick for George. The total cost of that deal would have been approximately $110 million when factoring in second-apron luxury tax penalties.

• Tyrese Maxey Out Multiple Weeks With Hamstring Injury

  Tyrese Maxey will be out several weeks due to a right hamstring injury. Maxey has typically played through injuries during his career, but the Philadelphia 76ers will take a cautious approach with his soft tissue injury.

  Maxey exited the Sixers' loss on Wednesday against the LA Clippers with the injury.

  The Sixers are 1-6 as they have been playing without Joel Embiid. Maxey is averaging 27.6 points per game on the season. Embiid is expected to make his season debut on Tuesday.