2 weeks Ago
One of the biggest competitors for Eastern Conference supremacy this season for the New York Knicks has started out alarmingly slow. That start is about to get even worse. The Philadelphia 76ers welcomed Paul George to the lineup in Monday's loss to the Phoenix Suns.
They are a struggling 1-5 on the season and former MVP Joel Embiid hasn't even played in a game yet. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Now, the All-NBA center won't be playing in a game until next week. The NBA suspended Embiid for three games for shoving Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes after a contest Saturday night.
The Philadelphia star took offense to a column in which Hayes compared Embiid's intensity and drive to play to the death of his brother, and his young child. “While we understand Joel was offended by the personal nature of the original version of the reporter's column, interactions must remain professional on both sides and can never turn physical," the league sent in a memo. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Embiid is set to return and make his season debut next Tuesday in Philadelphia against the Knicks in the 76ers' opening game of NBA Cup action.
While the Knicks appear to be hovering around .500 to this point in the season, the NBA Cup is a great chance for their new faces to work even closer to the returning group from last year's playoff run. Related: Embiid Fight Reveals Bigger Sixers Problems With Embiid expected to return for the kickoff of that in-season tournament, it is a good chance for the Knicks to see how they match up against some of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
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