Sixers standout rookie Jared McCain is out indefinitely with a torn meniscus that requires surgery

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain has a meniscus tear in his left knee that requires surgery and is expected to be out indefinitely.

McCain who has starred for the struggling Sixers early in the season, reported a sore left knee after Friday night's 121-107 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

Philadelphia said an MRI on Saturday showed a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee that requires surgery.

McCain, the 16th overall pick in the draft out of Duke, is the leading scorer among rookies this season, averaging 15.3 points through the first 23 games. McCain, who is averaging 2.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists, finished with five points and three assists in 29 minutes against the Pacers.

Also against Indiana on Friday, Sixers center Joel Embiid sustained a sinus fracture while going for a defensive rebound late in the first half of the loss. The team said Embiid, who had 12 points, four rebounds and five assists in 17 1/2 minutes, will be further evaluated this weekend.

Embiid was only playing his sixth game out of the 23. He has been bothered by swelling in his left knee and also served a three-game suspension for physical contact with a reporter.

Injuries to Philadelphia stars Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George — billed as the team's “Big Three” after George’s offseason arrival — have limited the trio to playing parts of only three games together. As a result, the Sixers have stumbled to a 7-16 start.

Through it all, McCain has been one of the few highlights, scoring a career-high 34 points in a loss to Cleveland in mid-November. The 20-year-old guard has scored 20 or more points in eight games this season.

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

Philadelphia 76ers' Jared McCain, center right, gets helped by Paul George, right, and Indiana Pacers' Andrew Nembhard, center left, after a hard fall to the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. The Pacers won 121-107. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain, right, shoots against Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Philadelphia 76ers' Jared McCain reacts after scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain, right, drives into Charlotte Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr. during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Kirill Kaprizov doesn’t need much space to score a goal, but he’s not above getting a little help from the opposing goalie.

The Minnesota star forward banked a puck from a sharp angle off the side of Philadelphia Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson’s helmet and into the net in the first period of the Wild's 4-1 win on Saturday.

“He’s a skilled player,” Ersson said. “I don’t think it’s luck for him.”

Just over 15 minutes into a scoreless first period, Wild defenseman Jon Merrill fired a shot that caromed off the end boards behind Ersson. The puck ricocheted to Kaprizov, who was about a foot ahead of the goal line, 10 feet to the left of the net.

Ersson slid to his left to cover the post. But firing high from a bad angle, Kaprisov’s shot rattled off the side of Ersson’s head and into the net.

Wild coach John Hines said Kaprizov often works on similar shots for up to 30 minutes a day after practice or pregame skates, and the practice paid off again.

“It isn’t the first time he’s done in a game either,” said Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who faces Kaprizov every day in practice. “So I’m not surprised. He's fun to watch.”

Kaprizov added an empty-netter with 2:10 remaining — his 20th of the season — to move into second-place in the NHL, one behind Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov, center right, celebrates his goal with his teammates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov, left, celebrates his goal with center Ben Jones (39) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson (33) prepares to save the puck while Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim (6) dives to block and Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)