The 76ers (34-19) are back home Friday, hosting the New York Knicks (30-26), and opening a back-to-back ahead of Saturday’s matchup at the Brooklyn Nets (32-22).
It’ll be the second meeting in less than a week’s time between the Sixers and Knicks, after the Knicks took a 108-97 victory Sunday in New York City.
The Knicks erased a 21-point deficit in that win, led by Julius Randle’s 24-point, nine rebound, seven assist performance. Jalen Brunson added 21 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and a steal.
Randle - who was recently named to another All-Star selection - is New York’s leading scorer and rebounder this season, averaging 24.7 points and 10.9 boards per game. Brunson leads the team in assists (6.2 apg) and steals (1.0 spg) per game.
All five of the Sixers’ starters finished in double-figures Sunday, with Joel Embiid leading the team with a 31-point, 14-rebound double-double.
Both teams’ rosters will look different Friday, following Thursday’s trade deadline. The Sixers welcomed Jalen McDaniels from the Charlotte Hornets Thursday, in a transaction sending fourth-year Sixer Matisse Thybulle to the Portland Trail Blazers.
McDaniels will wear No. 7 with the Sixers.
The Knicks added Josh Hart to the fold at the deadline, parting ways with Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, and Svi Mykhailiuk.
The pair of matchups with the New York teams serves as a quick bounce-back opportunity for the Sixers, after most recently falling, 106-99, Wednesday in Boston.
Ahead of Friday’s matchup Embiid (left foot soreness) is questionable. New York’s Mitchell Robinson (right thumb surgery) is out.
As of Thursday evening, the Sixers hold the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference, while the Knicks hold No. 7.
Friday’s matchup is a 7:00 p.m. ET start. The team will then face the Nets at 6:00 p.m. ET Saturday in Brooklyn.
When You Last Saw Them
Joel Embiid
James Harden
De’Anthony Melton
76ers vs. Boston Celtics: Feb. 08, 2023
1 / 6BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 08: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers controls the ball in front of Blake Griffin #91 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at the TD Garden on February 08, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.