Joel Embiid

The 76ers have ended their search for a head coach by hiring former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse.

Fantasy Impact

Under Nurse, Toronto was always seen as a team you couldn’t count out till it was all said and done. If James Harden leaves, Philadelphia might have to become the next scrappy Nurse team, although having the 2022-23 NBA MVP could disqualify them from being labeled “scrappy”. Embiid offers a player you can build a championship roster around, which Nurse had experience doing with Kawhi Leonard in 2019 when Toronto beat the Warriors in the Finals. Under Nurse their defense should improve, but they need to find at least a second star behind Embiid to really get the ball rolling. Philly will be an interesting team to watch this off-season.

The Philadelphia 76ers announced on Tuesday that they have dismissed head coach Doc Rivers.

Fantasy Impact

This comes after the 76ers blew a 3-2 series lead against the Boston Celtics capped off with getting blown out in Game 7 last Sunday. He joins a number of coaches who have been dismissed this year. The 76ers head coaching job should still be an enticing role for someone and Rivers shouldn't have too much of a problem finding a coaching job with a new team.

Barring any setbacks for his injured right knee, Joel Embiid is on track to return for Game 2 of the playoff matchup between the 76ers and Boston.

Fantasy Impact

While Embiid began the day listed as doubtful for Wednesday, it sounds like the newly-crowned MVP may be available for the game. Given that his last game was two weeks ago, how many minutes and what kind of production we can expect remains to be seen. With Paul Reed playing well and Philly up in the series 1-0, it would be reasonable to estimate around 20 minutes from Embiid.

Joel Embiid has won the 2022-23 NBA MVP Award, his first MVP Award.

Fantasy Impact

After consecutive years of coming up just short in the MVP race, notably to Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Embiid has finally achieved the award he has publicly desired and chased for so long. During the regular season, he averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 54.8% shooting, delivering the Sixers the third seed in the Eastern Conference.

Joel Embiid (knee) is doubtful for Game 2 between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact

Embiid sat out Monday’s Game 1 win and is now likely to miss the second game of the Eastern Conference semifinal series Wednesday night. Paul Reed should continue to start in Embiid’s absence for the 76ers.