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Joel Embiid has season-ending injury, again

Joel Embiid done for season, again

The Sixers were very careful with super-talented center Joel Embiid this season, playing him limited minutes, giving him plenty of rest during busy parts of the schedule, and trying to keep the big guy healthy.

But it didn’t work.

The team announced today that Embiid will miss the rest of the season. “The Process” is delayed once again.

The team recently announced that their other talented rookie, Ben Simmons, who hasn’t played this season, won’t be active until 2017-18.

Once again, the Sixers are about the future, not the present.

More on this: Joel Embiid injury update: out for season

Cavaliers waive Jordan McRae

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived guard Jordan McRae, Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin announced today.

McRae has played in 37 games (four starts) averaging 4.4 points in 10.4 minutes for the Cavs this season. He appeared in 15 regular season games and two postseason games for the Cavs last season.

The Cavaliers roster now stands at 14.

Thunder sign Norris Cole

Thunder sign Norris Cole

The Oklahoma City Thunder signed guard Norris Cole, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Cole (6-2, 175), a two-time NBA Champion, owns career averages 7.1 points, 2.8 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 22.7 minutes in 347 games (60 starts) over five seasons with Miami and New Orleans. The 28th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, he most recently played with the Shandong Golden Stars of the Chinese Basketball Association.

Kevin Durant injury update

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant, who left last night’s game in Washington with 10:27 remaining in the first quarter due to a left knee injury, underwent an MRI last night at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in the DC area.

Following reviews of the MRI by the Warriors’ medical staff, it has been determined that Durant suffered a Grade 2 Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) sprain and a tibial bone bruise. He will be out of action indefinitely and will be re-evaluated in four (4) weeks. There is no timetable for his return, but it has not been ruled out that he could play again before the end of the regular season.

Kevin Durant injury: hyperextended left knee

Hoping for the best here. Kevin Durant hurt his knee last night. More will be known Wednesday. Here’s CSN Bay Area reporting:

Kevin Durant injury: hyperextended left knee

Kevin Durant played one minute in Washington on Tuesday before limping away for the rest of the night. Though it is not yet known how long he will be out, his absence changes everything for the Warriors.

From general scoring ability to playing rotations to floor spacing to rim protection to, maybe most of all, the swagger with which they take the floor, the Warriors will have to make massive adjustments to maintain the best record in the NBA.

As a largely veteran team they are capable, at least in the short term, of doing so.

Durant left with a hyperextended left knee and underwent an MRI test late Tuesday night in Washington. Diagnosis and prognosis are expected Wednesday.

Knicks waive Brandon Jennings, sign Chasson Randle

Knicks waive Brandon Jennings, sign Chasson Randle

New York Knicks President Phil Jackson announced today the team has waived guard Brandon Jennings, and signed free agent guard Chasson Randle to a contract.

Randle, 6-2, 185-pounds, appeared in eight games for Philadelphia this season, averaging 5.3 points over 9.3 minutes, before being waived on Feb. 23. Signed on Jan. 10 by the 76ers, the Stanford University product became the fourth-ever NBA Call-Up of the D-League’s Westchester Knicks, where he averaged 20.4 points, on 42.2-percent shooting, over 32.2 minutes in 20 games. Prior to the D-League, Randle appeared in three preseason games for New York before being waived on Oct. 21.

Jennings, 6-1, 170-pounds, was originally signed by the Knicks as a free agent on Jul. 8, 2016. He had averaged 8.6 points, 4.9 assists and 24.6 minutes in 58 games.

Kyle Lowry will undergo wrist surgery

Kyle Lowry will undergo wrist surgery

The Toronto Raptors announced Monday guard Kyle Lowry will have surgery Tuesday morning to remove loose bodies from his right wrist. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Michelle Carlson in New York City.

Symptoms began following the February 15 contest versus Charlotte and Lowry has missed the past two games with the injury. Swelling is persistent with pain and limited joint range. The surgery is being done at this time with the intention to put Lowry in a position to get ready for the postseason.

Lowry is averaging 22.8 points, 6.9 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 37.7 minutes in 56 games this season.

According to the National Post, “with 23 games left in the regular season, it’s a big blow to a team looking to climb back up the Eastern Conference standings. Lowry is second on the Raptors with his average of 22.8 points and leads Toronto with 6.9 assists per game. The Raptors have averaged 113.2 points with Lowry on the floor this season compared to 105.1 without him. Defensively, they’ve allowed 105.1 points with Lowry in the game versus 108.6 without him.”

Hot in the NBA right now

Triple-doubles: The NBA has produced 74 triple-doubles this season, which is four behind the single-season record of 78 set in 1988-89. It is also one behind the 2015-16 total of 75 for the second-most all time.

Dario Saric, 76ers: The Croatian forward has recorded four consecutive double-doubles, the longest streak by a rookie this season. In his last seven games, Saric is averaging 20.3 points and 9.0 rebounds.

Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves: Wiggins has scored 20 or more points in a franchise-record 17 consecutive games, while Towns has done so in each of the last 14 games. Those are the second- and third-longest active streaks in the NBA, respectively, behind Boston guard Isaiah Thomas’ 43 games in a row with at least 20 points.

Miami Heat: Miami has made 43 three-pointers during its current three-game winning streak, the most over any three-game span in team history. The Heat has also scored at least 100 points in 16 straight games, the franchise’s longest streak ever.

Mike Conley, Grizzlies: He scored 31 points in Sunday’s win over Denver, his sixth 30-point game of the season. Conley had five 30-point games in his first nine seasons combined.

Kawhi Leonard, Spurs: With 25 points in Sunday’s victory against the Lakers, Leonard posted his 27th game with at least that many points this season. He had 26 such games in his first five seasons combined.

DeMar DeRozan, Raptors: In two games since the All-Star break (both wins), Toronto’s all-time leading scorer has totaled 76 points, shot 54.5 percent from the field and made 27-of-28 from the free throw line.

— Via NBA Newsletter