76ers: Embiid likely back before playoffs

76ers coach Nick Nurse said Wednesday that there is a “good likelihood” that reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid will be back on the court before the playoffs.

“I think there’s a very good likelihood that he will return before the playoffs,” Nurse said.

Embiid, who is averaging 35.3 points and 11.5 rebounds, has missed 27 games after suffering a meniscus injury on Jan. 30 that required surgery on Feb. 6. The Sixers were 10-17 in the games since Embiid’s injury.

The club had confirmed two weeks ago that Embiid started on-court work, but has been cryptic about the extent of work he has been doing.

The 76ers have nine games left in the regular season. They’re currently in eighth place in the Eastern Conference race.

The Hornets are shutting down G LaMelo Ball for the season. Ball, 22, hasn’t played since Jan. 27 for the Hornets, who have already been eliminated from postseason contention. He has had repeated problems with ankle injuries during his career . ... Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor declared he won’t take the final step of his drawn-out $1.5 billion deal to hand Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez majority stake in the team because they didn’t meet all of the deadlines in the sale conditions. Lore and Rodriguez agreed to the purchase nearly three years ago. The pair already owns a 40% stake. This final stage was to sell them another 40%.

Louisville hired College of Charleston’s Pat Kelsey as its head coach. Kelsey, 48, was 261-122 lifetime as coach at Charleston and Winthrop. He directed both schools to conference titles and NCAA appearances. Kenny Payne was fired as coach of Louisville earlier this month after going 12-52 over two seasons at his alma mater.

College basketball:

Tennis: Fourth-ranked Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan beat No. 27 Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (2) to advance to the finals of the Miami Open.