Sixers’ Saric impresses

USA TODAY Sports’ top three candidates for the NBA Rookie of the Year award for Week 15 ( Feb. 6 through Saturday; statistics reflected through Saturday).

Also receiving votes: New Orleans Pelicans’ Buddy Hield, New York Knicks’ Willy Hernangomez.

3. DARIO SARIC, 76ERS

Season statistics: 10.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 39.1% shooting

Saric eclipsed the double- figure scoring mark in all four games in Week 15 as he continued to shine with his Rookie of the Year front- runner teammate Joel Embiid sidelined. He posted 19point, 5.3- rebound, three- assist averages on the week and shot 52.7% from the field, 45% from beyond the arc and 90% from the free- throw line. He put together one of his best games of the season in a win against the Orlando Magic, scoring 24 points ( on 8for- 15 shooting) to go along with eight rebounds and three steals.

2. MALCOLM BROGDON, BUCKS

Season statistics: 9.5 points, 4.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 44.1% shooting

It was a busy week for the Bucks, who saw starting shooting guard Khris Middleton make his season debut ( hamstring) on the same night Jabari Parker suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee — his second in three years — that will keep him sidelined for the rest of the season. How did Brogdon respond? With an 18- point outing Friday in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and a 17- point outing Saturday in a win against the Indiana Pacers.

1. JOEL EMBIID, 76ERS

Season statistics: 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.5 blocks, 46.6% shooting

Embiid has played in one of Philadelphia’s last 13 games — a 32- point, seven- rebound, four- assist performance against the Houston Rockets — and it was revealed Saturday that he has a minor meniscus tear, which is likely to hold him out until after the All- Star break. Yet he still holds a commanding lead in our Rookie of the Year race, which, barring any type of setback, we expect to hold true throughout the rest of the season.

ISAIAH J. DOWNING, USA TODAY SPORTS The 76ers Dario Saric ( 9) averaged 19 points, 5.3 rebounds and three assists during the week and shot 52.7% from the field, 45% from beyond the arc and 90% from the free throw line.