Messi and Inter Miami ousted from MLS playoffs. Atlanta United upsets top seeds 3-2 in Game 3

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi walked off the field and into the tunnel leading to the Inter Miami locker room a few seconds after the final whistle blew, hardly any emotion on his face.

He didn't want to see the celebration.

Atlanta United ousted Messi and Major League Soccer's biggest-spending team earlier than anyone imagined from the MLS Cup playoffs. Jamal Thiaré scored twice, Bartosz Slisz's header in the 76th minute was the winner, and Atlanta United stunned Inter Miami 3-2 on Saturday night to win their best-of-three first round playoff series in three games.

“There's some fairy dust in our locker room, man,” Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan said after stopping seven shots, some of them in spectacular fashion, and giving Slisz a big hug in response to his goal. “I couldn't be more proud of our guys.”

Two free kicks by Messi in the final minutes hit the wall of Atlanta defenders, and time eventually ran out on soccer's most decorated player and his team. Messi’s header — yes, header — in the 65th minute tied the match at 2-2, but the hosts never reclaimed the lead. Atlanta took the lead with an Inter Miami player down and the hosts lobbying for play to be halted, but the whistle never came and Slisz became one of many heroes for the winners.

“It’s everybody. It’s a joint effort,” Atlanta United interim coach Rob Valentino said. "We talked about it before the game, we talked about it all year long that it’s not going to be just one player. It’s a collective effort and that’s what happened tonight.

It was the fifth win-or-else victory for Atlanta United this season — starting with two must-win matches to keep hope alive at the end of the regular season against the New York Red Bulls and Orlando City, then a wild-card match at Montreal, Game 2 of this series at home and then Saturday’s stunner.

And the East is suddenly wide open.

Ninth-seeded Atlanta United will play No. 4 Orlando City in the Eastern Conference semifinal, while sixth-seeded New York City FC will face the seventh-seeded New York Red Bulls in the other East semifinal.

No. 2 Columbus was already gone. No. 3 Cincinnati was ousted Saturday. And then came the biggest surprise of all — No. 1 Inter Miami’s season is over.

“Once you get in, this league is like this,” Valentino said. “You’ve got to have that belief in yourself because nobody on the outside is going to believe in you.”

The team with the best record won the MLS Cup four times in the league’s first seven seasons. In the 22 seasons since, the top overall seed has gone on to win the title only four more times.

And on paper, there may never have been a bigger upset than this one — a No. 9 seed vs. a No. 1 seed, and not just that, a No. 1 seed with Messi in the lineup. Messi’s $20,446,667 in total compensation from Inter Miami this season was about $5 million more than the entire Atlanta payroll, and Inter Miami spent a record $41.7 million on payroll this season.

It got Inter Miami the Supporters’ Shield, the best regular-season record in MLS history and an invitation to next year’s Club World Cup, which came as no surprise. But it didn’t even get the club into Round 2 of the playoffs, which will be remembered as a massive flop.

“Our biggest objective, we didn't manage,” Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said.

Atlanta United fully believed it was going to pull this off.

For whatever reason, Atlanta was a matchup nightmare for Inter Miami this season. It beat Inter Miami three times, all of them with Messi in the lineup; every other MLS team combined to get three wins over Inter Miami.

A five-minute, three-goal barrage in the first half set the tone. Inter Miami opened the scoring and Atlanta United punched right back — twice.

Thiaré was denied by the goalpost 14 minutes into the contest, when his deflection of a flick into the box narrowly missed. And Inter Miami grabbed a 1-0 lead about two minutes later — Messi was stopped by a diving Guzan, but Matías Rojas was there to lift the rebound into the net from a tight angle near the right post.

The lead didn’t last long. Thiaré saw to that.

He took a pass and was completely unmarked, firing into the upper right corner to beat Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender — who had no chance — to tie the match in the 19th minute. And not even two minutes later, Alexey Miranchuk tapped a pass to Thiaré who went over Callender for a 2-1 Atlanta lead.

Just like that, the best team in MLS regular-season history — and the best player in the sport’s history — was in big, big trouble. Inter Miami thought it tied the match in the 25th minute, only for Diego Gómez to be called offside. And the hosts argued wildly for a penalty kick later in the half, arguing that there was a handball in the box (replay suggested they had a case), but they still went into the half down 2-1.

“A very clear penalty,” Martino said. “The ref didn’t even check it.”

Messi tied it midway through the second half, no one knowing at the time that it would be the final hurrah for Inter Miami's season. For some reason, Inter Miami's pyrotechnics crew shot fireworks off as time expired, as if the team was celebrating something.

On this night, it was Atlanta United that sent Inter Miami's season up in smoke.

“I hope we're not done now,” Valentino said.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Atlanta United head coach Rob Valentino gestures during the first half of an MLS playoff opening round soccer match against Inter Miami, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino stands on the sidelines during the first half of an MLS playoff opening round soccer match against Atlanta United, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Atlanta United defender Stian Gregersen (5) and Inter Miami forward Leonardo Campana (8) go after the ball during the second half of their MLS playoff opening round soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half of an MLS playoff opening round soccer match against Atlanta United, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Atlanta United midfielder Bartosz Slisz (6) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half of an MLS playoff opening round soccer match against Inter Miami, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Atlanta United midfielder Bartosz Slisz (6) celebrates his goal with midfielder Saba Lobzhanidze (9) during the second half of their MLS playoff opening round soccer match against Inter Miami, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami midfielder Tomás Aviles (6) blocks a pass by Atlanta United forward Jamal Thiaré (29) during the second half of their MLS playoff opening round soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) aims the ball during the second half of their MLS playoff opening round soccer match against Atlanta United, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan (1) celebrates after defeating Inter Miami during an MLS playoff opening round soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan (1) celebrates after defeating Inter Miami during an MLS playoff opening round soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Atlanta United fans celebrate at the end of their MLS playoff opening round soccer match against Inter Miami, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Atlanta United defender Stian Gregersen (5) blocks a kick by Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) during the second half of their MLS playoff opening round soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half of an MLS playoff opening round soccer match against Atlanta United, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan (1) and Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez (9) talk on the field during the first half of an MLS playoff opening round soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Atlanta United forward Jamal Thiaré (29) celebrates his goal during the first half of their MLS playoff opening round soccer match against Inter Miami, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Atlanta United head coach Rob Valentino gestures during the first half of an MLS playoff opening round soccer match against Inter Miami, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Atlanta United defender Luis Abram (4) and Inter Miami defender Marcelo Weigandt (57) go after the ball during the first half of an MLS playoff opening round soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Atlanta United defender Derrick Williams (3) passes the ball as Inter Miami forward Luis Su·rez (9) defends during the second half of their MLS playoff opening round soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender (1) defends Atlanta United forward Jamal ThiarÈ (29) during the first half of their MLS playoff opening round soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) passes the ball as Atlanta United midfielder Tristan Muyumba (8) attempts to defend during the first half of their MLS playoff opening round soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) and Atlanta United defender Derrick Williams (3) go after the ball during the first half of an MLS playoff opening round soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) scores a goal during the second half of their MLS playoff opening round soccer match against Atlanta United, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid returned to a rousing ovation from 76ers fans in his first game of the season, a start marred by injuries and suspension to the All-Star center that kept Philadelphia anchored at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

Embiid wasted no time giving the Sixers a tantalizing glimpse against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night of what could be — a dish to fellow oft-injured All Star Paul George for a layup to open the game.

“He's looked good,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said of Embiid before the game. “He's done a lot of work to get ready here. He looks pretty good. You've got to go out there and do it live.”

Embiid, wearing a brace on his surgically repaired left knee, pointed skyward as he hit the court for pregame warmups and looked in shape and ready to roll for his debut.

He had already stuck around for extra work after shootaround. The 7-footer was in no rush to finish his drills.

Embiid shot free throws, worked on his post game and made soft jumpers during a Tuesday morning workout in preparation of his season debut and his first game playing with George, who joined the Sixers over the summer on a four-year, $212 million contract.

Without Embiid, the Sixers entered 2-7.

“It's the right step in the right direction we're trying to get to,” Sixers forward Caleb Martin said. “Obviously, excited to have someone like him back to our team.”

Embiid, George and fellow All-Star Tyrese Maxey, out with a right hamstring injury, were the 76ers' version of a Big Three that was expected to make them one of the big favorites out of the East.

The trio instead has yet to play a game together.

“We've had our struggles without them,” Nurse said. “It's important for us to get into some phase of figuring out what we look like with those guys all here and how that moves the other pieces around. What guys can get on the floor with who. try to start building some chemistry."

The 76ers are coming off an overtime win over Charlotte but face an uphill climb into playoff contention.

There have been 20 teams in NBA history to make the playoffs after starting 1-6 or 0-7, though it’s been extremely rare in recent years. In the last 27 years, only three teams -- the 2003-04 Miami Heat (0-7), the 2004-05 Chicago Bulls (0-7) and the 2021-22 New Orleans Pelicans (1-6) had such a start and went on to make the playoffs.

Embiid's return can only force the push toward a winning record.

A seven-time All-Star, Embiid returns from what the team called left knee management and the end of a three-game suspension for shoving a member of the media.

By his own admission, Embiid says he won’t play back-to-back games this season, meaning he’ll sit out Wednesday against Cleveland. The next set of back-to-backs are Dec. 3 at Charlotte and a Dec. 4 home game against Orlando.

Play him at home in front of fans who paid exorbitant ticket prices this season to watch Andre Drummond at center, right?

No so fast.

Much like Tuesday's game against the Knicks, the Hornets game was designated as part of the NBA Cup round-robin schedule.

The 76ers have been open since the preseason on how they intended to use Embiid this season — manage his minutes and games played to the point where they can safely navigate him to the postseason healthy for the first time in his career.

Nurse, the sports science departments and the front office face a thorny situation on deciding when Embiid will suit up this season. Plus, with Embiid, there's no guarantee he simply won't get injured again, a blow that would send the franchise closer to the draft lottery than chasing its first NBA championship since 1983.

Any potential setbacks with Embiid are worries for another day.

On Tuesday, Embiid banners decorated the Wells Fargo Center concourse and his teammates — and fans — were excited to have him play for the first time since he helped the U.S. win a gold medal in the Paris Olympics.

“You've got to expect there to be hiccups and kinks and stuff like that,” Martin said. “Understand that's what comes with putting a new team together and bringing pieces back. Just expect the unexpected.”

Hey, it's the 76ers' way.

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Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid looks over the court after an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Joel Embiid set to return to slumping 76ers team in need of his presence

Joel Embiid set to return to slumping 76ers team in need of his presence