Embiid drawing criticism for sitting out 76ers' opener as part of health plan to reach the playoffs

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The 76ers have a new rallying cry for Joel Embiid this season: Trust the plan.

Embiid's absence from the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener against Milwaukee is simply part of the team's plan to keep the two-time NBA scoring champion on track for a healthy season — and maybe, for the first time in his career, the playoffs.

Embiid was ruled out against Milwaukee as part of what the Sixers call left knee management. Now, the 7-footer seems poised to sit out road games Friday at Toronto and Sunday at Indiana, a decision that opened Embiid and the team to criticism.

Paul George was scratched from his debut with the Sixers. The five-time All-NBA selection left the Clippers and signed a four-year, $212 million contract as a free agent this summer. But, the 34-year-old George sustained a bone bruise when he hyperextended his left knee in the preseason. George will be reevaluated later in the week.

Much like last season when they posted a losing record without Embiid, the 76ers struggled, losing to the Bucks 124-109 on Wednesday night.

All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey shot 10 of 31 from the floor and scored 25 points, and the Sixers trailed by as many as 22. The Sixers essentially used a preseason lineup, with Maxey, Andre Drummond, Kelly Oubre Jr., KJ Martin and Eric Gordon.

“We played one game. I'm not about to sit here and say that just because Jo was out, we played bad,” Maxey said. “Yes, we did not win the game, which is the goal. But we've been without Jo all preseason, all training camp, for the most part. He's ramping up. ... Us winning, it can't be solely on Joel Embiid. It just can't.”

The oft-injured Embiid has been blasted by former players, media and unhappy fans on social media for sitting out opening night — after not playing in the preseason due to a sore left knee.

The Sixers said Embiid was “responding well” to his individualized rehab plan and was scheduled to scrimmage this week. He will be reevaluated this weekend.

Embiid was limited to 39 games last season, mostly because of knee surgery after tearing the meniscus in his left knee on Jan. 30 against Golden State. He returned for the playoffs and was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy during a first-round loss to the Knicks.

He won an Olympic gold medal this summer with Team USA.

Coach Nick Nurse said before the opener that Embiid did not suffer an additional injury to his left knee.

“The plan is why he's not playing,” Nurse said. “... The plan is we don't feel like he's quite ready, strong enough, light enough ... that they've determined that he's not quite ready to go. "

Nurse said Embiid is one voice in who decides when the 2023 NBA MVP will play this season — a plan that likely eliminates action in both ends of back-to-back games.

“Our medical is first and foremost," Nurse said. "Joel is there, the front office, myself, everybody is weighing in ... . We're just trying to do something a little different and get him there (to the playoffs) this time.”

The NBA is interested in Embiid's situation, too.

The league took steps ahead of last season to ensure that its star players appear in more games, particularly nationally televised matchups like Wednesday's opener and the in-season tournament.

The NBA's plan calls for increasing fines for violating its policy that could reach a million dollars.

Hall of Famers and TNT broadcasters Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal were among the critics taking aim at Embiid for his reduced schedule.

“You cannot say as a leader of that team, I'm not going to play certain games,” Barkley said. “That's not the way to start the season.”

The 30-year-old Embiid signed a $193 million contract before training camp. The 76ers have failed to advance beyond the second round of the playoffs since 2001 — in large part because Embiid has failed to stay healthy.

The 76ers finished 31-8 last season season with Embiid and 16-27 without him.

Embiid revealed ahead of training camp that he dropped about 25 to 30 pounds to stay in better condition for the season's grind. That includes not rushing back from any further issues with the knee.

Embiid was the No. 3 pick in the 2014 draft, but missed his first two full seasons with injuries. Since his first full season in 2016, Embiid has played in 433 of a possible 801 regular-season games and only 59 of 67 possible playoff games.

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Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey, right, goes up for a shot against Milwaukee Bucks' Brook Lopez during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Milwaukee Bucks' Pat Connaughton, left, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey, right, goes up for a shot against Milwaukee Bucks' Brook Lopez during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey, left, goes up for a shot against Milwaukee Bucks' Brook Lopez during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) drives to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, top left, and Paul George, bottom right, watch from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kamala Harris went to a Philadelphia suburb on Wednesday night for a CNN town hall, where she faced questions from undecided voters. The event was arranged after Donald Trump declined to participate in a second debate with her.

With less than two weeks to go until the election, here are some key moments from the town hall.

She left no doubt that she believes her opponent can be characterized by the far-right authoritarian ideology.

Asked by CNN's Anderson Cooper if she thinks Trump is a fascist, Harris replied bluntly.

“Yes, I do,” she said. “Yes, I do.”

Her answer came shortly after John Kelly, Trump's former chief of staff, used the same term to describe the Republican nominee.

Harris' comments were a bolder version of an answer that she gave during an interview last week.

Radio host Charlamagne Tha God referred to Trump's vision for the country as fascism and asked, “Why can't we just say it?”

“Yes, we can say that,” Harris said.

Ever since being catapulted to the top of the Democratic ticket, the vice president has struggled with questions about how she's different from President Joe Biden. Harris has been reluctant to distance herself from him even though voters appear eager for a change in direction.

However, Biden recently gave her a rhetorical green light to break with him more, saying she would “cut her own path” if elected.

Harris appears to have tentatively embraced the opportunity. She repeatedly said Wednesday night that she would offer “a new approach" to governing when it came to caring for the elderly and bringing down consumer costs.

“I’m not going to shy away from saying, hey, these are still problems that we need to fix," Harris said.

The vice president doesn't usually discuss her religion, but she revealed more during the town hall.

Cooper asked Harris to reflect on the day that Biden dropped his reelection bid and endorsed her, particularly a call that she had with her pastor.

“I needed that advice," she said about her conversation with Rev. Dr. Amos Brown in San Francisco. "I needed a prayer.”

She also said, “I do pray every day, sometimes twice a day.”

Harris said she was raised with the understanding that “your faith is a verb,” meaning that it's important to put beliefs into action to help others.

Harris' background and personal life involves a blend of religions. She's previously talked about attending services at a Baptist church and a Hindu temple while growing up in California. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish.

Candidates spend a lot of time talking about their strengths, so one of the voters asked Harris about her weaknesses.

“I am certainly not perfect, so let's start there,” she said with a laugh.

Harris said she surrounds herself with “very smart people” whom she pushes for answers on complicated topics.

“I’m constantly saying, ‘Let’s kick the tires on that,'" she said. Harris said she's cautious because “my actions have a direct impact on real people in a very fundamental way.”

It sounded like a classic politician dodge, like when a candidate says their biggest weakness is they care too much. But her answer hinted at real criticism that she's faced over the years.

Sometimes Harris has been known to prepare to the point of paralysis, and she's sometimes unwilling to take risks.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a CNN town hall in Aston, Pa., Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a CNN town hall in Aston, Pa., Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a CNN town hall in Aston, Pa., Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, as moderator Anderson Cooper listens. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a CNN town hall in Aston, Pa., Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, as moderator Anderson Cooper listens. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)