BOSTON (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid wasn't going to let a pregame stumble keep him from playing the rival Boston Celtics in one of the NBA's marquee games.
Embiid got caught up in a barrier used to keep courtside fans away from the players and fell to the parquet floor during pregame warmups, twisting his right ankle. He took a while to return to the court before the the opening tip, but he played 31 minutes and scored 27 points with nine rebounds in the Sixers' 118-114 victory over the defending NBA champions.
“It was a little sore, but it was Christmas,” Embiid said after soaking both ankles in tubs of ice in the Philadelphia locker room following the game. “I've got to play on Christmas.”
Embiid was shooting near the sideline about 45 minutes before tipoff and fell to the parquet after backing up into the security barrier and the guard next to it. The 2023 NBA MVP grabbed his right ankle and remained on the court for a minute before walking off to the locker room.
When the Sixers returned to the court for a separate shooting session a few minutes before the tipoff, Embiid was late to join them. He eventually did come out and warmed up as usual, then took the opening tip against Boston's Kristaps Porzingis.
Embiid had 18 points and six rebounds in the first half, and he finished 4 of 5 from 3-point range in the game. He hit four free throws to clinch the game in the final minutes, including a pair after he came away limping from a drive to the basket with 2:09 left and the Sixers leading by three.
“It was the other (ankle),” Embiid said with a shrug. “My luck.”
A two-time NBA scoring champion, Embiid is averaging 21.3 points and seven rebounds per game this season — far below his career averages. He has missed all but nine games due to left knee soreness, a sinus fracture and a three-game suspension for an altercation with a reporter in the locker room.
“You can’t feel bad about yourself,” he said. “Life is life; it happens. You do whatever is necessary to get better and get back on the floor. But it is tough. But, you know, what can you do? Some of them are unfortunate so you’ve just got to deal with it and you know take it in and get better.”
Embiid wore a mask while playing in just his third game since the sinus fracture. He was ejected from his previous game, on Monday against San Antonio, after picking up his second technical foul in the second quarter for arguing with referee Jenna Schroeder.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown (7) drives past Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid (21) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Boston (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid drives past Boston Celtics' Al Horford during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Boston (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid (21) shoots against Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown, left, and Al Horford, behind, and draws a foul during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Boston (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid smiles after the 76ers won an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s rivalry with India turned physical as Virat Kohli collided with 19-year-old Australia batter Sam Konstas on Thursday on the opening morning of the fourth test.
After choosing to bat first in hot conditions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia was comfortably placed at 112-1 at lunch. Konstas dominated an opening stand of 89 before he was out lbw to spinner Ravindra Jadeja for a daring 60 off 65 deliveries in a memorable debut.
The on-field action heated up at the end of the 10th over. Kohli collided shoulder to shoulder as he walked past Konstas, whose risky stroke play was attracting much banter from the fielding side.
Konstas and former India captain Kohli exchanged words after the collision and Kohli started walking back towards Konstas. Australia batter Usman Khawaja hurried to stand between the pair, patting Konstas on the arm then putting a friendly arm around the shoulder of 36-year-old Kohli in a bid to calm the situation.
“Virat’s walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that,” former Australia captain Ricky Ponting told Australia’s Channel Seven.
Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan added on Fox Cricket that Kohli would face scrutiny from the match referee. “It’s Kohli that goes off line and he walks into Sam,” Vaughan said.
Earlier, Konstas looked nervous as he played and missed four times in the opening over of the match, bowled by Jasprit Bumrah.
But in a sign of the bravery of youth, Konstas played three audacious reverse scoops over slips in Bumrah’s fourth over, hitting two fours and a six.
At lunch, Khawaja was unbeaten on 38 and Marnus Labuschagne was on 12.
Australia captain Pat Cummins had chosen to bat first on a green-tinged pitch in hot conditions.
The five-match series is level at 1-1 after a rainy draw at Brisbane,
Australia made two changes to the side which dominated the drawn test in Brisbane. Seamer Scott Boland was recalled for Josh Hazlewood, who suffered a calf-muscle strain in Brisbane. Konstas replaced struggling opener Nathan McSweeney.
India named a bowler-heavy lineup, bringing in offspinner Washington Sundar so the visitors have six bowling options. Top-order batter Shubman Gill has been dropped and captain Rohit Sharma has been named at No. 3 in India’s batting order.
The series has added significance as Australia and India are ranked second and third, respectively, behind South Africa in the race to qualify for the World Test Championship Final to be held at Lord’s in June 2025. South Africa is hosting Pakistan in a two-test series that also starts Thursday.
The fifth and final Australia-India test is scheduled to start on Jan. 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
India's Jasprit Bumrah bowls to Australia's Sam Konstas during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
India's Jasprit Bumrah walks out onto the field ahead of play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Usman Khawaja plays a shot during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas bats during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
India's Jasprit Bumrah bowls to Australia's Sam Konstas during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas watches the ball after playing shot during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas plays a shot during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas, right, celebrates scoring fifty runs with his batting partner Usman Khawaja during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas bats celebrates his fifty runs during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
India's Jasprit Bumrah, right, reacts after bowling to Australia's Sam Konstas, left, during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas bats celebrates his fifty runs during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas bats celebrates his fifty runs during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
India's Virat Kohli, right, talks to Australia's Sam Konstas, second left, as Australia's Usman Khawaja, looks on during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas walks off the field after losing his wicket during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
India's Virat Kohli signs his autograph ahead of play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas, centre, is congratulated by teammates after he was presented with his baggy green cap ahead of play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
