With Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard injuries, start of NBA playoffs wasn’t great for Team USA

The opening weekend of the playoffs was a bad one for Team USA, with two starters either clearly limited or unable to play at all due to injury. Days after the to great fanfare, 7-footer landed hard on his surgically repaired left leg in the – game Saturday night, crumpled to the court and limped to the locker room.

He exited the game but returned for the second half. Leonard, meanwhile, is a two-way star and particularly stifling defender. He could play the two guard in USA coach Steve Kerr’s lineup, next to , , Embiid and either or . That combination of two-way play, 3-point shooting, midrange mastery and rim and 3-point-line protection is staggering, maybe better than any international team ever. Embiid and Leonard are such key pieces to the equation that each is worth the injury risk.

Philadelphia 76Ers Los Angeles Clippers NBA Olympics

United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Miami Heat know there is no simple plan to slow down 76ers’ Joel EmbiidHow will Miami slow down the reigning MVP? If there's anyone who can figure it out, it's coach Erik Spoelstra.
Source: The Athletic UK - 🏆 123. / 51 Read more »

Sixers’ Joel Embiid exits with apparent knee injury vs. KnicksEmbiid was on the ground for several minutes as 76ers personnel looked at his knee.
Source: The Athletic UK - 🏆 123. / 51 Read more »

Sixers’ fate rests on the shoulders — and knee — of Joel EmbiidThe reigning MVP was a 'warrior' in Game 1 against the Knicks, but things weren't the same after yet another injury scare.
Source: The Athletic UK - 🏆 123. / 51 Read more »

Frédéric Weis: ‘I hate’ Joel Embiid for spurning France to play for Team USA in Olympics'I consider this boy a great player as much as he is a dirty guy. I hate him for the things that he did,' Weis said.
Source: The Athletic UK - 🏆 123. / 51 Read more »

76ers’ Joel Embiid nearing return, perhaps as soon as Tuesday: SourcesThe reigning MVP has been sidelined since late January because of a knee injury.
Source: The Athletic UK - 🏆 123. / 51 Read more »

NBA: Joel Embiid returns from injury as Philadelphia 76ers beat Oklahoma City ThunderJoel Embiid says a two-month injury lay-off was 'mentally' tough as he returns to help the Philadelphia 76ers pick up a 109-105 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Source: BBCSport - 🏆 111. / 51 Read more »