The Sixers were one of the biggest winners in free agency because of the moves they’ve made this summer, most notably the acquisition of NBA All-Star forward Paul George.
Philadelphia are expected to compete in the Eastern Conference this upcoming season, but there’s a growing fear among fans that they’ll ultimately fall short of winning the big prize due to their stars’ injury history, especially after what happened in their latest preseason road win against Atlanta.
There are also concerns about the Nuggets’ preseason form because they have yet to win a game, and head coach Michael Malone is unhappy with it.
Speaking of injuries, there is some good news, as Lonzo Ball is expected to play for the Bulls in their preseason matchup against the Timberwolves.
Learn more about the latest NBA 2024 updates, courtesy of SBOTOP.
George injures knee, Embiid has shocking admission
The Sixers are already without Joel Embiid for the rest of preseason, and Paul George could join him after he hyperextended his knee against the Hawks.
George sustained the injury during the second quarter. After poking the ball away from Jalen Johnson’s hands for a defencive stop, the nine-time NBA took a step back, and his left leg landed awkwardly.
In only his second game wearing a Sixers uniform, George finished with eight points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal on 3-of-5 shooting from the field in 12 minutes.
“Certainly trying to work him into things, and he wants to work into things too. So this doesn’t give him a chance to do that,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said on Paul George. “Hopefully it’ll be okay so he’s back with us right away.”
Meanwhile, Joel Embiid recently said it’s “probable” that he’ll never play in back-to-back NBA games ever again.
This offseason, Embiid dropped 25 to 30 pounds to lessen the load on his knees that were injured last season, cutting his 2024-25 campaign short to only 39 games, although he played for Team USA during the Paris Games.
The Sixers open their 2024-25 campaign against the Bucks on October 23, but given George and Embiid’s conditions, there’s a chance that the team will rely heavily on Tyrese Maxey, which doesn’t bode well for their pregame NBA 2024 odds.
As is always the case, health will be the determining factor whether they’ll have a successful season or not.
Ball to make much awaited Bulls return
It’s been more than 1,000 days since Lonzo Ball played in an NBA game because he was sidelined by a chronic knee injury.
Three surgeries and nearly three years later, Ball is entering the final year of his four-year, $85 million contract. He plans to make a comeback to make up for lost time, and Ball will do just that when the Bulls host the Timberwolves on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The last season Lonzo Ball played with Chicago was in the 2021-22 season. He played 35 regular season games that year, averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.
“I pretty much have a brand-new knee, so it’s always going to be a little different than what God gave me to start off with. But I’m feeling good. I’m feeling healthy enough to play. That’s all that really matters, just managing it throughout the year and being available. I think I’ll be ready for the first game, for sure,” Ball said during the Bulls’ annual media day.
The Bulls look a lot different with Ball back in the mix, as Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan have already left for the Thunder and the Kings, respectively. And unlike before, the Bulls are entering their rebuilding phase with their young core.
Nuggets still winless in preseason
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone is not thrilled with his team dropping to 0-3 this preseason, even if the results are mostly inconsequential. After losing back-to-back games against the Celtics in Abu Dhabi, they fell 118-114 to the Suns, who were without Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, or Bradley Beal.
“They outscored us by 33 points from the three-point line,” Malone lamented. “We dominated the glass, dominated the paint, but got our a– kicked from three. We gave up 37 points in that third quarter, it was embarrassing. So, we have a lot of work to do, that’s what preseason is for.”
Denver has spent most of preseason trying to integrate their newest additions while whipping them into 100-per cent fitness.
They have two more matches against the Thunder and the Timberwolves before they open their 2024-25 campaign on October 24.
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