The South Carolina girls’s basketball workforce is 2 wins away from perfection.
Daybreak Staley’s Gamecocks are getting into their fourth consecutive Ultimate 4 having not misplaced a single recreation all season.
That is truly the second straight NCAA Event the place South Carolina carried an ideal report within the Ultimate 4. Final 12 months, the then-36-0 Gamecocks had been shocked by Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes within the nationwide semifinals.
Whereas South Carolina may nonetheless run into Clark and Co. once more, it will not be within the Ultimate 4. This time round, the 36-0 Gamecocks are up towards No. 3 NC State, which is making simply its second Ultimate 4 look and first since 1998.
Earlier than the Gamecocks and Wolfpack sq. off, this is a take a look at the historical past South Carolina is closing in on:
What number of undefeated NCAA girls’s basketball champions have there been?
There was an undefeated champion 9 instances in girls’s NCAA Event historical past. The uncommon feat has been achieved by 4 totally different applications: Baylor, Tennessee, Texas and UConn.
The 1985-86 Longhorns had been the primary to drag it off.
When was the final undefeated NCAA girls’s basketball champion?
UConn is the one program with a number of unblemished championship seasons. Geno Auriemma’s Huskies went unbeaten a staggering six instances, with two coming in consecutive seasons.
Here is a full take a look at every undefeated girls’s champion:
Texas, 1985-86: 34-0
UConn, 1994-95: 35-0
Tennessee, 1997-98: 39-0
UConn, 2001-02: 39-0
UConn, 2008-09: 39-0
UConn, 2009-10: 39-0
Baylor, 2011-12: 40-0
UConn, 2013-14: 40-0
UConn, 2015-16: 38-0
What number of undefeated NCAA males’s basketball champions have there been?
There have been even fewer good championship seasons on the boys’s aspect. It has been completed a mixed seven instances by 4 totally different applications: Indiana, North Carolina, San Francisco and UCLA.
San Francisco turned the primary undefeated males’s champ in 1955-56.
When was the final undefeated NCAA males’s basketball champion?
It has been practically 50 years for the reason that final unbeaten males’s champ, which was the 1975-76 Hoosiers. Gonzaga was getting ready to ending the drought in 2020-21, however the Bulldogs fell to Baylor within the nationwide title recreation.
Here is a full take a look at every time it has been completed:
San Francisco, 1955-56: 29-0
North Carolina, 1956-57: 32-0
UCLA, 1963-64: 30-0
UCLA, 1966-67: 30-0
UCLA, 1971-72: 30-0
UCLA, 1972-73: 30-0
Indiana, 1975-76: 32-0
There’s a lot on the road within the 2024 males’s Ultimate 4. UConn is trying to go back-to-back as champions whereas the opposite groups are on the lookout for their first win, or first win in over 4 a long time.
Owen Moxon’s beautiful strike rescued some extent for Portsmouth in an exhilarating draw with League One promotion rivals Derby.
Joe Ward opened the scoring for the Rams early on however Abu Kamara shortly slotted residence to deliver Pompey degree.
Ward scored for the second time earlier than the break to present Derby the lead once more however substitute Moxon struck from vary within the second half to make it 2-2.
A five-point hole stays between the 2 sides with John Mousinho’s leaders having a sport in hand on Paul Warne’s second-placed Rams.
A rocking Fratton Park rose for League One’s high two sides forward of the sport, the rain swirling within the floodlights earlier than kick-off.
Mousinho’s facet rode the Fratton wave early on, having fun with spells of possession and having various pictures however not forcing Joe Wildsmith right into a save of observe.
Derby struck within the twenty third minute after Corey Blackett-Taylor drove powerfully into Portsmouth’s ultimate third and launched Ward on the fitting.
He was medical along with his end into the underside left-hand nook of Will Norris’ web for his first purpose since becoming a member of Derby final summer time.
However the hosts levelled virtually instantly with a stunning group transfer that noticed Colby Bishop flick the ball into the trail of Kamara who stayed composed to chop inside and hearth residence.
Ten minutes earlier than half-time, Ward scored his second of the sport to place Derby in entrance once more, hanging from distance with assistance from a deflection.
Portsmouth ought to have equalised shortly as soon as once more however Christian Saydee sliced over the bar from lower than 10 yards out.
The Rams’ risk on the break continued into the second half with Portsmouth having nearly all of the ball however Warne’s facet utilizing the tempo of Blackett-Taylor on the counter.
Nevertheless, Portsmouth rescued some extent within the 77th minute as substitute Moxon thumped residence from all of 25 yards, celebrating wildly with the Fratton devoted.
There was extra drama to return as Pompey substitute Tino Anjorin went down within the field late on with huge cries for a penalty however referee Will Finnie was not happy there was sufficient contact to warrant a spot-kick.
Portsmouth supervisor John Mousinho, chatting with BBC Radio Solent:
“It was a reasonably good performances towards a extremely good facet, we take the purpose and let’s comply with it up with a win on the weekend.
“The primary purpose was an excellent transfer, I am actually happy with that and the second purpose.
“The penalty shout seemed stonewall for me involving Tino Anjorin however regardless we now have put ourselves in a extremely good place with the consequence.”
Derby boss Paul Warne to BBC Radio Derby:
“Usually I am actually happy with some extent. I feel we went toe-to-toe fairly nicely.
“That one level may very well be the distinction come the top of the season.
“A draw’s in all probability a good consequence, however if you’ve bought a lead like that, it is disappointing to lose it to a screamer like that which might’ve gone anyplace.
“I am happy for Joe Ward. He is actually come into his personal within the final couple of months.”
Line-ups
Portsmouth
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Norris
17Rafferty20Raggett18Shaughnessy6Ogilvie
7Pack45Evans
25Kamara15Saydee32Lane
9Bishop
1Norris
17Rafferty
20Raggett
18Shaughnessy
6OgilvieBooked at 72mins
7Pack
45EvansSubstituted forMoxonat 59′minutes
25KamaraSubstituted forWhyteat 90+1′minutes
15SaydeeSubstituted forYengiat 70′minutes
32LaneBooked at 20minsSubstituted forAnjorinat 70′minutes
Substitution, Derby County. Martyn Waghorn replaces James Collins.
Substitution, Portsmouth. Gavin Whyte replaces Abu Kamara.
Delay in match due to an damage Ebou Adams (Derby County).
Foul by Kusini Yengi (Portsmouth).
Eiran Cashin (Derby County) wins a free kick within the defensive half.
Substitution, Derby County. Conor Washington replaces Corey Blackett-Taylor.
Try missed. Nathaniel Méndez-Laing (Derby County) proper footed shot from outdoors the field misses to the left. Assisted by James Collins.
Try missed. Corey Blackett-Taylor (Derby County) header from the centre of the field misses to the left. Assisted by Kane Wilson with a cross.
Try missed. James Collins (Derby County) header from the centre of the field misses to the fitting. Assisted by Louie Sibley with a cross.
Delay over. They’re able to proceed.
Delay in match (Portsmouth).
Try saved. Ebou Adams (Derby County) proper footed shot from outdoors the field is saved within the centre of the purpose.
Aim! Portsmouth 2, Derby County 2. Owen Moxon (Portsmouth) proper footed shot from outdoors the field to the highest left nook. Assisted by Sean Raggett.
Connor Ogilvie (Portsmouth) is proven the yellow card for a foul foul.
I’m outraged and heartbroken by the deaths of seven humanitarian employees from World Central Kitchen, together with one American, in Gaza yesterday. They had been offering meals to hungry civilians in the midst of a struggle. They had been courageous and selfless. Their deaths are a tragedy.
Israel has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into why the help employees’ autos had been hit by airstrikes. That investigation should be swift, it should carry accountability, and its findings should be made public.
Much more tragically, this isn’t a stand-alone incident. This battle has been one of many worst in latest reminiscence when it comes to what number of support employees have been killed. This can be a main purpose why distributing humanitarian support in Gaza has been so tough – as a result of Israel has not achieved sufficient to guard support employees making an attempt to ship desperately wanted assist to civilians. Incidents like yesterday’s merely mustn’t occur. Israel has additionally not achieved sufficient to guard civilians. America has repeatedly urged Israel to deconflict their navy operations towards Hamas with humanitarian operations, with the intention to keep away from civilian casualties.
America will proceed to do all we will to ship humanitarian help to Palestinian civilians in Gaza, by means of all out there means. I’ll proceed to press Israel to do extra to facilitate that support. And we’re pushing laborious for a right away ceasefire as a part of a hostage deal. I’ve a group in Cairo engaged on this proper now.
Earlier immediately, I spoke with my buddy Chef José Andrés, the founding father of World Central Kitchen, to convey my deepest condolences for the deaths of these brave support employees and to specific my continued help for his and his group’s relentless and heroic efforts to get meals to hungry individuals across the globe.
Might God bless the humanitarian employees killed yesterday and luxury their households and family members of their grief.
Aslef prepare employees on the picket line at Euston station in London.
A significant spherical of commercial motion will disrupt Nationwide Rail providers and the London Underground over the subsequent month, as prepare drivers strike in a dispute over pay and circumstances.
Members of the Aslef union are launching two rolling one-day Tube strikes and walk-outs at 16 main rail operators throughout April and Could.
Passengers have been suggested to test the Nationwide Rail web site for up-to-date data earlier than they journey. Tube service updates may be discovered on the Transport for London (TfL) web site.
It comes over a yr and a half into the nationwide dispute, which started in June 2022 when the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union staged a primary set of prepare strikes.
When are the Tube strike dates?
Two 24 hour strikes by Aslef tube drivers are deliberate on Monday 8 April and Saturday 4 Could.
A lot of the community will probably be delivered to a standstill and TfL has warned different unaffected providers, such because the Elizabeth Line, London Overground and DLR, will probably be “busier than standard” and could possibly be topic to final minute cancellations.
Providers will begin afterward the times following the strikes, however must be again on observe by mid-morning. London buses will function usually however some routes will probably be “extraordinarily busy.”
It comes after Khan drummed up £30m of public money to cease separate RMT tube employees launching a weeks price of motion in January.
Aslef is worried its drivers could possibly be pressured to work longer hours and that prior agreements with TfL and Sadiq Khan could possibly be ripped up.
Finn Brennan, Aslef’s organiser for the London Underground, stated TfL had did not “give assurances that modifications to our members’ phrases and circumstances won’t be imposed with out settlement and that every one current agreements will probably be honoured.”
“Regardless of a earlier dedication to withdraw plans for enormous modifications to drivers’ working circumstances, London Underground administration has established a full-time crew of managers making ready to impose their plans.
“They need drivers to work longer shifts, spending as much as 25 per cent extra time within the cab, and to take away all present working agreements within the title of ‘flexibility and effectivity.’”
TfL stated it had “no plans to impose these modifications” and had “dedicated to nobody dropping their job as a part of these modifications.”
“We now have engaged with our unions to display that no change will probably be made that compromises our steadfast dedication to security on the Tube community.”
The operator added: “We now have been in long-term discussions with our commerce union colleagues on easy methods to modernise procedures and processes on London Underground to enhance the expertise each for employees and prospects.
Tube employees represented by the RMT secured a pay rise of eight to 10 per cent for the bottom paid employees in February. Larger paid employees netted a 5 per cent improve in the identical deal.
A second union representing customer support managers, the TSSA, can be hanging on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 April.
When are the nationwide strike dates?
Practice drivers at 16 rail firms will launch strikes on Friday 5, Saturday 6 and Monday 8 April, Aslef has stated.
The union can be planning a six-day time beyond regulation ban between Thursday 4 and Saturday 6 April, and Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 April.
Rail operator’s affected by the nationwide strike motion are as follows:
Friday 5 April: Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, West Midlands Trains, and CrossCountry.
Saturday 6 April: Chiltern, GWR, LNER, Northern, and TransPennine Trains.
Monday 8 April: Better Anglia, c2c, GTR Nice Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Specific, South Western Railway primary line and SWR Island Line.
Why are strikes taking place?
Broadly, unions are in search of higher pay and dealing circumstances for his or her members amid inflation and different every day value pressures.
They’re additionally infuriated by new minimal service laws, which enforces prepare firms have sufficient employees to run 40 per cent of providers throughout walk-outs.
In April 2023, Aslef’s govt committee rejected a 4 per cent pay rise for 2 consecutive years.
Since then, union bosses have accused the federal government of failing to return to the negotiating desk. Talks between Aslef’s basic secretary Mick Whelan and transport ministers have been non-existent since December 2022.
The dispute is made extra advanced by the dire monetary state of Britain’s prepare operators, represented by the Rail Supply Group (RDG), who’ve struggled to recuperate financially because the pandemic worn out passenger numbers.
The community has been affected by delays and cancellations, such that Transpennine Specific had its contract stripped in Could 2023.
A spokesperson for the RDG stated: “We’re sorry that this spherical of strikes known as by the ASLEF management danger disrupting journeys.
“Whereas we’re doing all we will to maintain trains operating and we’ll work with our trade companions to maintain as many trains operating as potential, sadly there will probably be lowered providers between Thursday 4 April to Tuesday 9 April. Our recommendation is to test earlier than you journey and observe the newest journey data.”
Not like the nationwide dispute, this months Tube strikes are rather more centred round working circumstances, with Aslef involved over working hours and modifications to prior agreements. There was some reporting across the stage of fatigue amongst London Underground drivers.
Rail employees pay
Median annual pay for prepare and tram drivers is about £60,000, based on the Workplace for Nationwide Statistics (ONS).
ONS figures present common salaries throughout the rail sector had been £45,919 in 2022.
Tube drivers earn a base wage of round £58,000. Nevertheless, underneath a uncommon kind of pension scheme, they’ll earn a major quantity extra.
A 21-year-old prepare operator working till the age of 65 would construct a pension of round £42,500 per yr, with none pay rises, based on AJ Bell evaluation.
This text will probably be up to date as new particulars emerge.
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Practice drivers will launch an time beyond regulation ban forward of a sequence of strikes which can trigger journey chaos.
Members of Aslef are embroiled in a 20-month dispute over jobs with no signal of a breakthrough and no plans for any talks.
Passengers are being suggested to test earlier than they journey, with some areas having no providers on strike days.
The time beyond regulation ban is from Thursday to Saturday and for 48 hours from subsequent Monday which is more likely to trigger delays and cancellations to providers.
A strike on Friday will hit Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, West Midlands and London Northwestern.
On Saturday prepare drivers will stroll out on Chiltern Railways, Nice Western Railway, LNER, Heathrow Categorical, Northern and TransPennine Categorical.
A strike on Monday will have an effect on c2c, Gatwick Categorical, Higher Anglia (together with Stansted Categorical), Nice Northern, Southeastern, Southern, South Western Railway (together with the Island Line) and Thameslink.
Practice operators warned that on strike days it’s doubtless that little or no providers will run throughout giant areas of the community operated by the affected prepare corporations.
Companies are additionally more likely to be disrupted and begin in a while the day instantly following a full strike day.
On days the place an time beyond regulation ban is in place, the timetable for some prepare corporations could also be revised upfront or providers topic to short-notice delay or cancellation on the day.
Members of Aslef are embroiled in a 20-month dispute over jobs with no signal of a breakthrough (Danny Lawson/PA)
(PA Wire)
Passengers are warned to count on important disruption and suggested to plan forward and test earlier than they journey.
A legislation is now in place geared toward making certain a minimal stage of service throughout rail strikes however not one of the operators concerned within the Aslef dispute have utilized to make use of it.
Aslef normal secretary Mick Whelan stated the union had referred to as for talks after asserting renewed mandates for industrial motion, highlighting that prepare drivers haven’t had a rise in wage since 2019.
He stated: “Our members voted overwhelmingly – but once more – for strike motion. These votes present a transparent rejection by prepare drivers of the ridiculous provide put to us in April final yr by the Rail Supply Group which knew that supply could be rejected as a result of a land seize for all of the phrases and situations now we have negotiated over time would by no means be accepted by our members.
“Since then prepare drivers have voted, repeatedly, to take motion in pursuit of a pay rise. That’s why Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, is being disingenuous when he says that supply ought to have been put to members.
“Drivers wouldn’t vote for industrial motion, repeatedly and once more, in the event that they thought that was an excellent provide. That provide was lifeless within the water in April final yr – and Mr Harper is aware of that.
“We requested Mr Harper, or his deputy, the rail minister Huw Merriman, to come back and meet us. We requested the Rail Supply Group (RDG) and the prepare operators (TOCs) to come back and speak to us.
“We haven’t heard from Mr Harper, Mr Merriman, the RDG, or the TOCs since these new mandates had been introduced weeks in the past. In truth, Mr Harper hasn’t deigned to speak to us since December 2022; Mr Merriman hasn’t talked to us since January 2023; and the RDG has not seen match to affix us within the room since April final yr.
“Now we have given the Authorities each alternative to come back to the desk however it’s now clear they don’t wish to resolve this dispute. They’re joyful for it go on and on.
“We aren’t going to surrender. Many members have not had a single penny improve in pay for half a decade, throughout which era inflation has soared and, with it, the price of residing.”
A spokesperson for the RDG stated: “We’re sorry that this spherical of strikes referred to as by the Aslef management danger disrupting journeys.
“Whereas we’re doing all we are able to to maintain trains working and we’ll work with our trade companions to maintain as many trains working as doable, sadly there shall be decreased providers between Thursday April 4 to Tuesday April 9. Our recommendation is to test earlier than you journey and comply with the most recent journey data.
“Minimal Service Stage laws is certainly one of many helpful instruments for managing strike disruption, however it’s not a silver bullet.
“Operators’ guideline is at all times to verify they’ll provide the very best, most dependable providers doable for his or her passengers on and round industrial motion days, and to do this they should make cautious assessments of their very own explicit operational circumstances earlier than deciding one of the simplest ways ahead.”
Kathryn O’Brien, buyer expertise & transformation director at TransPennine Categorical, stated: “Sadly, strike motion will as soon as once more trigger disruption to our providers, in addition to these throughout the nation.
“Sadly, we received’t be capable of run any trains in any respect on Saturday April 6, and a few providers shall be affected this week by additional industrial motion.”
Aslef has held 14 one-day strikes throughout the 20-month dispute. The primary poll went out in June 2022 and members first went on strike on Saturday July 30 2022.
Aslef members on London Underground are additionally hanging on Monday April 8 and Saturday Might 4 in a separate dispute over phrases and situations.
The strikes will trigger extreme disruption throughout the Tube community and a few strains can have little or no service.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid put Philadelphia forward with 4 free throws within the remaining 40 seconds and completed with…
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid put Philadelphia forward with 4 free throws within the remaining 40 seconds and completed with 24 factors in his first recreation in 9 weeks following knee surgical procedure, main the 76ers to a 109-105 win over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Tuesday night time.
Embiid added seven assists and 6 rebounds in practically half-hour — however most necessary, he introduced the boldness that the Sixers can salvage their season and make a postseason run with final season’s MVP within the lineup.
Embiid was congratulated by Corridor of Famer Allen Iverson after the sport.
“I assumed I used to be fairly dangerous,” Embiid stated. “I simply perceive. Often once I come again from this stuff, I feel 30, 40 (factors), no matter it takes to get the win. This time, it’s slightly totally different. It’s going to take me some time to get again to myself and actually belief myself. So long as we win, I feel my greatest influence is simply being on the market defensively.”
Chet Holmgren scored 22 factors to steer the Thunder, who fell one-half recreation behind Denver for the highest spot within the Western Convention. Minnesota moved right into a tie with Oklahoma Metropolis.
The Sixers trailed by 11 factors with 7:27 left earlier than they went on a torrid run. Kelly Oubre Jr. hit a 3 that received the comeback rolling, and Embiid capped it off with a collection of free throws. Embiid hit two for a 106-105 lead and added two extra that made it 108-105. He made all 12 foul photographs on the night time.
Embiid sat exhausted on the scorer’s desk as the ultimate seconds ticked off earlier than he sauntered over to Iverson.
Oubre scored 25 factors and Tobias Harris had 18.
Embiid was injured on Jan. 30 at Golden State. He had meniscus surgical procedure on his left knee every week later, and the Sixers crashed within the East standings with out him. They’re at the moment eighth, 1 1/2 video games behind Miami.
With a wholesome Embiid, the 76ers at the least have a greater likelihood to win a collection or two within the playoffs.
“He modifies them considerably,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault stated. “They play lots totally different stylistically when he’s in to the place they’ve been currently within the final 30 video games he’s been out or so. When he performs, it definitely modifications their method.”
The Thunder couldn’t maintain on within the fourth with All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out for the third time in 4 video games with a quad harm. Jalen Williams (ankle) additionally sat out for the Thunder. All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey (hip) was inactive for the 76ers.
Sixers coach Nick Nurse was impressed by the state of the Thunder, largely due to Gilgeous-Alexander’s play.
“I feel they’ve received quite a lot of stuff,” Nurse stated. “They’ve received an unbelievable famous person who’s nearly as good as anyone within the league. They’ve received another rising superstars which are superb gamers. They play a system that they’re all in tune with.”
Cristiano Ronaldo netted a first-half hat trick in Al Nassr’s runaway 8-0 win over Abha within the Saudi Professional League on Tuesday, three days after scoring a triple on Saturday in a win over Al Tai.
Sadio Mané, Abdulmajeed Al-Sulaiheem, Abdulrahman Ghareeb and a double from Abdulaziz Saud Al Aliwa rounded out the scoring for Al Nassr as they cruised to a straightforward win over the membership second from backside within the Professional League desk.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)
Ronaldo’s first two targets Tuesday got here from free-kicks. With 11 minutes on the clock, he opened the scoring with a low shot from a central place simply outdoors the world. The second got here 10 minutes later when he curled the ball across the wall from the left aspect.
Ronaldo, who leads the SPL with 29 targets, then assisted Sadio Mané for Al-Nassr’s third simply after the half-hour, pulling the ball again from the left for the previous Liverpool ahead to attain.
Three minutes earlier than the break, Ronaldo then accomplished the hat trick with a good looking chip from outdoors the world as he ran towards objective. There was nonetheless sufficient time within the first-half for Ronaldo to slide the ball to his proper for Al-Sulayhim to attain into an open objective from shut vary.
It was the seventh time that Ronaldo netted a first-half hat trick and takes his profession complete to 65, together with 44 throughout his trophy-laden time with Actual Madrid. The Portugal star has scored three or extra targets in a sport 5 occasions since becoming a member of Al Nassr.
Regardless of the stellar night time for Ronaldo, Al Nassr are 12 factors behind leaders Al Hilal with eight video games to play and are out of the Asian Champions League and home cup in Saudi Arabia, that means it can probably be one other season with no silverware for the 39-year-old since shifting to the Center East.
Al Hilal introduced earlier within the day that striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, second behind Ronaldo with 22 targets, is prone to miss the remainder of the season via harm.
Ronaldo leads the Saudi league’s goal-scoring chart with 29 targets, however Al Nassr path Al Hilal by 12 factors.
Cristiano Ronaldo notched his second hat-trick within the area of 72 hours as Al Nassr routed Abha 8-0 within the Saudi Professional League.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored three targets and recorded two assists within the first half for the nine-time Saudi Arabian champions on Tuesday.
The hat-trick was his third of the league season following his treble in Saturday’s 5-1 win over Al Tai. The Portugal ahead leads the league with 29 targets.
Ronaldo’s first two targets on Tuesday got here from free kicks. With 11 minutes on the clock, he opened the scoring with a low shot from a central place simply exterior the realm. The second got here 10 minutes later when he curled the ball across the wall from the left aspect.
Ronaldo then assisted Sadio Mane for Al Nassr’s third simply after the half-hour, pulling the ball again from the left for the previous Liverpool ahead to attain.
Three minutes earlier than the break, Ronaldo accomplished the hat-trick with an exquisite chip from exterior the realm as he ran in direction of purpose. There was nonetheless sufficient time within the first half for Ronaldo to slide the ball to his proper for Abdulmajeed Al-Sulayhim to attain into an open purpose from shut vary.
The star was taken off on the break, although Al Nassr continued to seek out the goal. Saudi Arabian worldwide Abdulrahman Ghareeb added a sixth quickly after the restart and substitute Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa scored two extra.
Regardless of the win, Al Nassr are nonetheless second, 12 factors behind runaway leaders Al Hilal, with eight video games remaining.
Al Hilal introduced earlier within the day that striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, second behind Ronaldo with 22 targets, is more likely to miss the remainder of the season by means of damage.
Co-author, Professional Basketball Prospectus sequence
Previously a guide with the Indiana Pacers
Developed WARP score and SCHOENE system
Apr 3, 2024, 02:09 AM ET
PHILADELPHIA — When Joel Embiid barreled down the court docket inside the ultimate 30 seconds of Tuesday night time’s recreation in opposition to the Western Convention-leading Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, the sellout crowd inside Wells Fargo Heart rose to its ft.
In the meantime, 76ers coach Nick Nurse held his breath.
“Go quicker?” Nurse stated postgame, when requested what was going by his thoughts when he noticed Embiid driving the paint within the closing moments of a one-point recreation after swiping the ball from Thunder guard Josh Giddey.
Seconds after the steal, Embiid, in his first recreation in eight weeks after present process a process on the lateral meniscus in his left knee, jumped into Thunder middle Chet Holmgren on the rim. The collision despatched the rookie into the photographers behind the basket and Embiid to the free throw line. “Man, I used to be making an attempt to get the and-one,” Embiid stated postgame.
Embiid knocked down a pair of free throws, and after a remaining sequence that noticed Oklahoma Metropolis miss three potential game-tying 3-pointers inside the ultimate 13 seconds of the sport, Embiid and the 76ers had been in a position to have a good time a 109-105 victory over the Thunder. Philly’s MVP huge man was formally again.
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0:25
Joel Embiid comes up with essential steal in crunch time
Joel Embiid breaks away from Josh Giddey after the steal and is fouled in transition.
General, it was an uneven efficiency for Embiid: 24 factors on 6-for-14 taking pictures however 12-for-12 from the foul line, to go together with 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and 6 turnovers in almost half-hour on the court docket. Most significantly, Embiid appeared to emerge unscathed from a well being perspective, simply as he did from Saturday’s prolonged 5-on-5 apply, his first full session along with his teammates since Golden State Warriors ahead Jonathan Kuminga inadvertently fell on his leg throughout a recreation on Jan. 30.
Now, the 76ers shift to Miami for one of many largest remaining video games within the common season Thursday night time. Embiid, who was visibly exhausted at occasions throughout Tuesday’s win, stated the purpose is to play in that recreation, too.
“We simply gotta take it daily, see how the knee responds tomorrow,” Embiid stated. “We bought an enormous one in Miami. If I am good to go, clearly go.”
Tuesday’s recreation, at the same time as fellow All-Star Tyrese Maxey and the group’s different beginning guard, De’Anthony Melton, watched in road garments, was an indication that this contender, with lower than two weeks to go within the common season, is near turning into entire.
“I would like us to go on a run to complete the season,” Embiid stated. “So, we bought to take [the wins], and maintain competing.”
As the remainder of the Jap Convention’s contenders watch Embiid and the Sixers over their remaining six video games of the common season, this is how the reigning MVP’s return may shake up the playoff race.
What Embiid means for Philadelphia on the court docket
For Philadelphia, the following two weeks are about two issues: getting Embiid up-to-speed and doing every little thing doable to keep away from the play-in match. Whereas Embiid’s return was an apparent increase, it confirmed how a lot his group has modified since he went out in late January. Earlier than Tuesday’s recreation, Embiid had by no means performed a single second with beginning guards Kyle Lowry and Cameron Payne and sixth man Buddy Hield — all three arrived at or close to the Feb. 8 commerce deadline. Embiid’s victorious comeback additionally got here with fellow All-Star Tyrese Maxey sitting out for a second consecutive recreation with a hip harm.
When Embiid is on the court docket this season, Philadelphia is scoring 120.6 factors per 100 possessions and permitting 110.5. These would rank because the second-best offense and third-best protection within the NBA over a full season. However throughout Embiid’s harm, Philadelphia was outscored by 4.9 factors per 100 possessions, the ninth-worst mark within the league in that span.
Now, there are causes for optimism that the group assembled across the reigning MVP is healthier than the roster when Embiid went down. Lowry, the North Philadelphia native, has hit 39% of his 3-pointers as a Sixer, supplies stable two-way play and has a beneficial reference to 76ers coach Nick Nurse from their shared time along with the Toronto Raptors.
Hield, in the meantime, is the most recent in a line of sharpshooting guards that transfer nicely off the ball who ought to slip proper into some glorious two-man recreation actions with Embiid, simply as J.J. Redick and Seth Curry have with him up to now. And Nicolas Batum, after lacking a number of chunks of time attributable to harm earlier within the 12 months, has turn out to be a staple in Philadelphia’s lineup who may excel alongside Embiid and Harris within the 76ers’ frontcourt. One unknown is the standing of guard De’Anthony Melton, a key two-way participant for Philadelphia and, if wholesome, Maxey’s associate within the group’s beginning backcourt. Melton has performed in simply 5 of the 76ers’ final 44 video games due to ongoing again points, and his return timetable stays unclear.
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0:54
Legler: With a wholesome Embiid, Sixers’ ceiling is convention finals
Tim Legler breaks down how the return of Joel Embiid impacts the 76ers’ playoff hopes within the Jap Convention.
Embiid’s affect on the East playoff image
Thursday’s matchup in Miami with the Warmth looms as a digital must-win for the 76ers to climb larger than eighth coming into the East play-in match. Miami additionally received Tuesday, beating the New York Knicks, and can enter Thursday 1.5 video games up within the standings with a 2-1 lead within the season sequence.
A Warmth win Thursday would imply they need to go simply 3-3 down the stretch to guarantee ending forward of Philadelphia by advantage of the head-to-head tiebreaker. (The Sixers, who misplaced the season sequence 2-1 to the Indiana Pacers, fare no higher in a possible three-team tie.) Miami finishes with back-to-back dwelling video games in opposition to the lottery-bound Toronto Raptors and is prone to a minimum of cut up its remaining six video games.
If Philly wins to tie the season sequence 2-2, that might push the tiebreaker to convention report. At 29-18, the Warmth are at present forward of the 76ers (27-21), however that is not settled but. Maybe extra importantly, a win Thursday would give Philadelphia a sensible path to easily end forward of Miami within the standings.
After Miami, the 76ers end the season with 4 of their remaining 5 video games in opposition to groups with bottom-eight data. Though the Orlando Magic have a greater report, Philadelphia would probably be favored within the remaining recreation by advantage of taking part in at dwelling with a wholesome Embiid.
If the Sixers win out, it is believable they may go each the Warmth and Pacers and keep away from the play-in altogether. Projections primarily based on ESPN’s Basketball Energy Index (BPI) confirmed Philly claiming a top-six seed in 6% of simulations earlier than Tuesday’s win.
The place the 76ers end has vital implications for the highest half of the East standings as nicely. Not one of the convention’s prime groups wish to face the reigning MVP within the first spherical as a reward for incomes a top-three seed.
If Philadelphia wins the second play-in recreation and claims the eighth seed it might imply a matchup in opposition to the top-seeded Boston Celtics for the second straight 12 months after the groups met within the 2023 convention semifinals. Anticipate renewed consideration on the potential of prime seeds getting an opportunity to select their opponents sooner or later.
Whereas the Sixers can be an atypically difficult No. 8 seed, Boston would absolutely be favored in a first-round sequence. So too would the No. 2 seed Milwaukee Bucks, albeit by a narrower margin. Whichever group finishes third out of the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Orlando Magic, may discover themselves a first-round underdog in opposition to Philadelphia with Embiid.
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