Injured Joel Embiid, Paul George watch from the 76ers' bench once again

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — James Harden was about booed out of the arena each time he touched the ball, a sound of contempt not heard in Philly since — well, since Ben Simmons was razzed with much the same vocal voraciousness two nights earlier.

The 76ers turned back the clock — “way back,” the public address announcer noted — wearing uniforms Sunday night designed to pay homage to their old home, the Spectrum.

Their old players? Well, they hit Philly, too.

Simmons, a former No. 1 pick once deemed a franchise cornerstone, returned Friday night with Brooklyn while Harden, now banging 3s with the Los Angeles Clippers, had his unceremonious homecoming Sunday night.

Simmons and Harden each raised the promise of deep playoff runs — yes, even a championship — before their sensational starts with the Sixers disintegrated into toxic tenures full of ill will and, ultimately, a feeling of good riddance from all parties involved.

Simmons and his shooting woes; Harden and his contract demands; no matter the symptoms for seasonal dysfunction through the years, the headache still pounds in Philadelphia.

The malady these days: bad knees.

Joel Embiid and Paul George, who signed $405 million worth of contracts in the offseason, remained pinned to the bench with knee injuries. George, a left knee bone bruise. Embiid, swelling in his left knee.

Heck, even six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry (hip strain) sat out against the Clippers, left to watch the game wearing one of those goofy, oversized Philadelphia Eagles hats.

“It’s certainly not ideal and not that easy to manage,” coach Nick Nurse said. “But it is part of the game. Guys come and go all the time. There’s guys in and out, both sides of the ball. Again, I’m always disappointed for the player.”

The public address announcer ran down the injury report — “Joel Embiid, Paul George and Kyle Lowry are out” — to a muted response from 76ers fans accustomed to sitting stars. If these walls could shrug.

It’s easy for Sixers fans — and the front office — to wonder what could have been the franchise’s ceiling had Simmons or Harden stayed happy and healthy while they teamed with Embiid.

George was just the latest star expected to help Embiid chase the 76ers’ first championship since 1983. Yet, the early returns have been dismal. George has played in just eight of 16 games; Embiid only four.

Without them, the 76ers fell to 3-13 following a 125-99 loss to the Clippers.

Embiid, wearing an all-blue 76ers sweatshirt and sweatpants, shared a few quiet conversations with his teammates in the locker room.

“Kept trying to keep his spirits high,” All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey said. “He loves basketball. He wants to play basketball every single day. If he could play all 82 games, every single game of the playoffs, I promise you, he would.”

He doesn't, so Nurse, in his second season, does what he can and trotted out a starting lineup that included Kelly Oubre Jr. and Guerschon Yabusele in front of a crowd dotted with empty seats.

The good news, Nurse said Embiid and George were both “progressing OK.” George, the nine-time All-Star, got in some work on the court on Saturday. Nurse said Embiid’s swelling was “looking better” ahead of more exams this week.

Embiid’s season was a disaster since training camp. The 30-year-old Embiid skipped the entire preseason, was suspended for scuffling with a columnist, called out by teammates in a closed-door team meeting and has fallen out of favor with fans that have tired of his will-he-or-won’t-he-play melodrama.

“As things go up and down, we’re all trying to keep things level,” Nurse said. “I think he has kept things pretty level. He’s been very communicative and seems to be OK. He understands that we’re trying to figure this out as we go here. He also understands the team’s not getting good results. So there is a lot to talk about.”

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue was an assistant coach on the U.S. team that won gold in Paris and declined to enter the fray over Embiid's health at the Olympics.

“I don’t know if he was supposed to be healthy or not,” Lue said. “He helped us win a gold medal, it’s all I know.”

At least the Sixers announced Friday night that Embiid would miss the Clippers’ game, allowing fans to try and dump a pair of tickets on the secondary market for the price of a couple of coffeehouse chain drinks.

Of note, rookie Jared McCain has about been worth the price of admission on those discount ducats.

The Clippers, coming off a 4-0 homestand, played without Kawhi Leonard and other teams missing their All-Stars for reasons both fishy and fair are the norm around the league.

The 76ers have no choice — much as they have since Embiid was drafted in 2014 — but to find a way around the absences.

“Almost all the time,” Nurse said, “we need to try something.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Los Angeles Clippers' Amir Coffey, right, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers' KJ Martin during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey (0) and Los Angeles Clippers' Kobe Brown (21) reach for a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia 76ers' Kyle Lowry, from left, Joel Embiid, Paul George, Eric Gordon and Ricky Council IV watch from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, left, and Kyle Lowry watch from bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Brooklyn Nets' Ben Simmons, center, goes up for a shot between Philadelphia 76ers' Caleb Martin, right, and Kelly Oubre Jr. during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Los Angeles Clippers' James Harden reacts after scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid walks off the court after an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, from left, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George look towards the scoreboard during a timeout during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

SEATTLE (AP) — Coby Bryant returned an interception 69 yards for a touchdown and Leonard Williams had 2 1/2 sacks as the Seahawks tormented Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, and Seattle beat Arizona 16-6 on Sunday to move into a tie for the NFC West lead.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba had six catches for 77 yards and the first offensive touchdown against the Cardinals (6-5) in three weeks. But it was the defense that made the difference for the Seahawks (6-5) against their division rivals, who had their four-game winning streak snapped.

“I thought he was dominant,” Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said of Williams. “I knew he played great and then I looked at the stat line and I realized he played out of his mind.”

Williams finished with six tackles and four quarterback hurries for Seattle, which has beaten Arizona six straight times. The teams play again in two weeks.

The Cardinals averaged more than 29 points per game in their previous three, but the Seahawks held them to 298 total yards and 49 yards rushing while sacking Murray five times.

Williams said the team has been coming together since a leadership meeting following their bye week two weeks ago. He said the Seahawks declared the remainder of the season a playoff run and he woke up Sunday feeling positive about the team.

“I think that made it just crunch time for us,” Williams said. “We just understood the urgency of getting the job done.”

Geno Smith threw for 254 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception for Seattle. Murray threw for 285 yards, and tight end Trey McBride had 12 catches for 133 yards.

Seattle led 7-3 midway through the third quarter when Arizona went for it on fourth-and-2 from the Seahawks 40. Murray was flushed right, then threw the ball over defender Devon Witherspoon and his own receiver into the arms of Bryant, who dashed to the end zone for a 13-3 lead.

“I don’t think I’ve ever run that fast,” said Bryant, who finished the score with a dive into the end zone that resembled Marshawn Lynch's “Beast Mode” celebration. “I know I’m going to get fined, so hopefully Marshawn saw it.”

Murray drove the Cardinals to the Seattle 4 early in the fourth quarter, but Arizona settled for a 22-yard field goal by Chad Ryland. Arizona had converted 16 straight touchdowns in goal-to-go situations coming into the game. Ryland missed a field goal with about 40 seconds remaining that would have set up an onside kick try.

“Obviously, it's a hostile environment,” Murray said. “We just didn’t execute, did not execute at a high enough level to win that game.”

Smith-Njigba set up his touchdown when he took a pass on a shallow cross and sprinted downfield for a 46-yard gain to the Arizona 4. He scored two plays later on a 3-yard pass from Smith to the right side of the end zone, with a clear-out by DK Metcalf, for a 7-3 halftime lead.

It was the first touchdown allowed by the Cardinals' defense since the fourth quarter against Miami three weeks ago.

Arizona's James Conner, who entered with 697 yards rushing, was held to 8 yards on seven carries. It was Seattle's best defensive performance of the season under first-year coach Macdonald, who had lost his previous four home games.

“Coach was in his bag this week,” Witherspoon said.

The Seahawks prepared this week while dealing with the effects of a storm that knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of residents and team facilities. Some fans were still without power as more rain began to fall Sunday.

“We were happy for the hot shower, I’m not gonna lie,” Witherspoon said. “Boy, it felt so good.”

Both teams had apparent touchdowns overturned.

Late in the first quarter, Williams appeared to complete a strip-sack of Murray that Tyrice Knight recovered and returned for a touchdown. A review determined Murray's arm was moving forward when Williams hit him, making it an incomplete pass.

Murray hit Michael Wilson for an apparent 7-yard TD midway through the second, but Paris Johnson Jr. was flagged for holding. Later in the drive, an apparent completion to Marvin Harrison Jr. in the left front corner of the end zone was overturned because officials determined that he only got one foot down. Arizona settled for a field goal on that drive.

Cardinals: Murray received trainers’ attention after he appeared to injure his shoulder on a hard hit in the fourth quarter, but never left the game. … DL Roy Lopez was helped off the field late in the fourth quarter.

Seahawks: G Anthony Bradford was helped off the field in the first quarter with an apparent leg injury.

Cardinals: At Minnesota next Sunday.

Seahawks: At the New York Jets next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) watches at Seattle Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant (8) as he makes an interception during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. Bryant ran the ball in for a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates with Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, right, after Smith threw to Smith-Njigba for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, left, and cornerback Coby Bryant, right, tackle Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) reacts after an incomplete pass on the third down in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) lies on the field after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates a sack during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) watches at Seattle Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant (8) as he makes an interception during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. Bryant ran the ball in for a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) defends as Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks to get around him during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates with wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) after he scored a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) is pressured by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) runs the ball for 46 yards, setting up a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant (8) returns an interception for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates a sack during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant (8) runs the ball for a touchdown after making an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)