Joel Embiid carries Philadelphia, Phoenix maintains hope of avoiding the play-in, Cleveland qualified for the play-offs

Performance: Joel Embiid maintains hope in Philadelphia

Operated in February, Joel Embiid’s left knee gave the Philadelphia public a cold sweat on Friday against Orlando (125-113). While attacking the circle just before the break, the American-Cameroonian pivot fell on the same knee before immediately returning to the locker room. But “The Process” came out for the second half, starting with a three-point basket. Author of 32 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists, Embiid carried Philadelphia against the Magic. In full decline without their pivot, the Sixers remain seventh in the East but retain one last hope of entering the top 6 depending on the results of Indiana and Orlando on Sunday.

Leader: Oklahoma City says “thank you Wemby”

The leadership changed again in the Western Conference on Friday evening, one game before the end of the regular season. Easy winner of Milwaukee (125-107), without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), Oklahoma City received first place wrapped in pretty gift paper from San Antonio, where Denver fell to everyone’s surprise against Victor Wembanyama. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (23 points, 7 rebounds) and Chet Holmgren (22 points, 9 rebounds) did not let the opportunity pass by sinking the Bucks at the break (69-50, 24th). They will finish the season at the top of the West ahead of Denver and Minnesota if they win on Sunday against Dallas.

The action: an interception that is (very) expensive

Last summer, Bradley Beal arrived in Phoenix to bring back an NBA title. The Suns are far from it but the All-Star guard offered them a less tortuous path to reach the play-offs. On the floor of Sacramento (110-109), Beal took care of the last defense of the match against De’Aaron Fox, with a point lead to preserve. With Devin Booker, he cornered the Kings leader before stealing the ball.

Phoenix remains seventh in the West, fighting with New Orleans, winner at the last minute at Golden State (114-109), for a direct ticket to the play-offs. The Suns will not finish below 8th place and will therefore have two chances to reach the final phase if they were to compete in the play-in.

The dunk: LeBron James finishes the job

Already assured of competing in the play-in, the Lakers struggled against Memphis (126-123), ravaged by injuries and forced to field a C team for many weeks. With 44 seconds to play, the Grizzlies were even up (117-117), despite the excellent game of Anthony Davis (36 points, 14 rebounds). But LeBron James (37 points) took matters into his own hands. The “King” scored a difficult double step, two free throws, before a saving interception on Jack White transformed into a spectacular dunk on the other side of the floor. Los Angeles is eighth in the West and has its destiny in its hands to keep this place, synonymous with two play-in rounds to try to qualify for the play-offs.

She said: “A lot of people thought we were in distress”

For only the second time since the departure of LeBron James in 2018, Cleveland will be in the play-offs. Donovan Mitchell (33 points) and Jarrett Allen (29 points, 13 rebounds) marched on Indiana (129-120) to seal the ticket for the Cavaliers, who will also have home field advantage in the first round. “There were times this season when a lot of people thought we were in trouble. But this group held on and persevered,” greeted coach JB Bickerstaff, faced with multiple injuries (Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, etc.) during the year and under the threat of going through the play-in Start of the week.

The night of the Blues: 13 points and victory for Fournier

Already qualified for the play-offs, Dallas rested Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving against Detroit and the Pistons took advantage of it to snatch a rare victory this season (107-89). In the sixth man costume, Evan Fournier scored 13 points (6 of 14 shooting) in relay from Marcus Sasser (24 points). The French guard will conclude his season on Sunday in San Antonio against Victor Wembanyama (34 points tonight) and Sidy Cissoko.

Nicolas Batum will stretch his at least until play-in after Philadelphia’s success against Orlando, during which he scored 5 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Defeated by Houston with Portland (116-107), Rayan Rupert started for 4 points and 5 assists. Engaged in the G-League final, Ousmane Dieng (1 lost ball) and Olivier Sarr (1 rebound) made a short appearance for Oklahoma City against Milwaukee (125-107).