76ers enjoy rookie boost

USA TODAY Sports’ top three candidates for the NBA Rookie of the Year award ( Week 18, from Feb. 26 through Saturday; statistics through Saturday). Also receiving votes: Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown, Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray, Sacramento Kings’ Buddy Hield

3. MALCOLM BROGDON, MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Season statistics: 9.9 points, 4.1 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 44.6% shooting

Brogdon continued his solid rookie campaign in Week 18, scoring in double figures in all five of Milwaukee’s games ( three wins, two losses). He averaged 16.2 points ( on 50.8% shooting), 3.6 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals, and he played a careerhigh 42 minutes in Saturday’s win against the Toronto Raptors.

2. JOEL EMBIID, PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

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

Embiid hasn’t played since Jan. 27, and it was announced Wednesday that he was going to miss the rest of the season with a meniscus tear, ending what was a runaway rookie of the year campaign. The 7- footer emerged as a fan favorite and franchise cornerstone in his inaugural season, so the news is undoubtedly frustrating for him and 76ers fans. But with Philadelphia just about out of the playoff race, combined with Embiid’s injury history, the decision to err on the side of caution comes as no surprise.

1. DARIO SARIC, PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Season statistics: 11.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.6 steals, 40.4% shooting

While the absence of Embiid and Ben Simmons has been tough for the Sixers, it has led to the ascent of another rookie. Saric, who was drafted 12th overall in 2014 but stayed overseas, has been on a tear as of late, earning leaguewide consideration for rookie of the year honors. Since Feb. 1, he’s averaging 16.9 points ( on 44.2% shooting), 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

BILL STREICHER, USA TODAY SPORTS As injuries have wreaked havoc on the 76ers roster, rookie Dario Saric has stepped up his game.