With Embiid and others out, a tough stretch ahead
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers must get creative with Joel Embiid, who tested positive for COVID-19 likely to be out 10 days.
The depleted Sixers battled but fell 103-96 to the New York Knicks on Monday. In addition to Embiid, Philadelphia was also without Tobias Harris, Isaiah Joe and Matisse Thybulle for health and safety protocols. Ben Simmons (personal reasons) has yet to play this season.
The 76ers were to play Tuesday against the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks.
“We’re going to play 10 guys,” Rivers said. “I don’t know who the 10 is, but we have to.”
On Monday, Julius Randle scored 31 points, including eight straight during a key fourth-quarter stretch, to lead the New York Knicks to a 103-96 victory over shorthanded Philadelphia.
Andre Drummond started in place of Embiid, and had 14 points and 25 rebounds. Furkan Korkmaz added 19 points for Philadelphia, which had a six-game win streak snapped.
The Knicks led by as many as 19 points in the first half and looked on their way to a blowout, but Philadelphia used a 25-14 third quarter to pull within 72-69 entering the fourth. The 76ers got within one on multiple occasions in the final period, the last on a 3-pointer by Georges Niang with 5:01 left that made it 89-88.
Then Randle took over. He converted a driving layup and then a pair of 3-pointers, the second giving the Knicks a 97-91 lead with 2:54 left.
“Just took what the game gave me,” Randle said. “Those are the moments I want.”
New York took a comfortable 100-91 lead on Kemba Walker’s three-point play with 2:19 left.
“The game could’ve gotten away from us in the first half and it didn’t,” Rivers said. “We hung in there.”
Embiid is averaging 21.4 points and 9.4 rebounds. Embiid also sat Nov. 1 for rest.
In addition to Drummond and Korkmaz, Philadelphia’s makeshift starting five included Danny Green, Seth Curry and Tyrese Maxey.
Tip-ins
Knicks: It was the first win in Philadelphia in nine games, the last victory coming April 8, 2016. . The Knicks have won both games against the 76ers this season (112-99 on Oct. 26) and will meet twice more, on Feb. 27 in New York and March 2 in Philadelphia.
76ers: Retired U.S. women’s soccer star Carli Lloyd rang the ceremonial Liberty Bell prior to the game. Lloyd is from nearby Delran, New Jersey.