With Harden out, Embiid carries 76ers

PHILADELPHIA — James Harden already made his first Philly highlight reel.

The 76ers gave a tease of Harden’s impending arrival with a flipbookstyle video of his career that ended with a shot of The Beard superimposed in a No. 1 jersey. Sixers fans gave the clip a roaring standing ovation.

The Sixers can’t wait for the real deal to get to town.

Joel Embiid had 25 points, 19 rebounds and five blocked shots, and the 76ers won as they wait on Harden, 100-87 over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night.

“Everybody’s going to have extreme expectations,“Sixers forward Tobias Harris said.

Harden, who has a hamstring injury, is expected to travel to the area this weekend and get evaluated by the team’s medical staff. He won’t play Saturday against Cleveland. The means the earliest Harden could play for the 76ers is at home Tuesday against Boston.

Harden was acquired from the Brooklyn Nets at Thursday’s trade deadline for 2016 No. 1 pick and three-time All-Star Ben Simmons.

Embiid had 11 points and 10 rebounds in the first quarter.

SPURS 136, HAWKS 121

Dejounte Murray tied his career highs with 32 points and 15 assists to go with 10 rebounds for his 11th triple double this season for visting San Antonio.

CAVALIERS 120, PACERS 113

Caris LeVert scored 22 points in his return to host Indiana, and Cleveland’s defense strung together a strong fourth quarter to rally.

HORNETS 141, PISTONS 119

LaMelo Ball had 31 points and 12 assists as visiting Charlotte ended a six-game losing streak against Detroit.

CELTICS 108, NUGGETS 102

Jayson Tatum had 24 points, Marcus Smart added 22 points, five steals and two crucial free throws, and Boston held on to beat Denver and get its seventh straight victory.

BULLS 134 TIMBERWOLVES 122

DeMar DeRozan scored 35 points, and host Chicago used a big fourth quarter to pull away.

JAZZ 114, MAGIC 99

Donovan Mitchell scored 24 points and collected seven rebounds to lead host Utah.