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76ers provide big update on Joel Embiid's latest injury
It has been roughly a month since the Philadelphia 76ers decided to shut Joel Embiid down for the remainder of the 2024-25 season, and a new update has surfaced about the former MVP's latest injury.
A 76ers official told ESPN's Shams Charania on Wednesday that Embiid is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee next week. The procedure will be the second for Embiid on the same knee in a span of 14 months.
Embiid will be re-evaluated in six weeks, but he is expected to make a full recovery.
Embiid will be re-evaluated in six weeks after surgery and is expected to make a full recovery, sources said. It will mark Embiid's second surgery on the left knee over the last 14 months. https://t.co/fv9Sgiojr0
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 2, 2025
The 76ers announced on Feb. 28 that Embiid had been deemed "medically unable to play" and would miss the remainder of the season. Embiid sought opinions from numerous specialists before agreeing to undergo another surgery on his problematic knee.
Embiid first injured his left knee in January 2024 when Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga fell into him while scrambling for a loose ball. Embiid was diagnosed with a torn meniscus and underwent surgery. He returned after two months to play in the postseason and also played for Team USA in the Paris Olympics last summer.
Embiid averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists across just 19 games this season. The Sixers entered Wednesday with a record of 23-53 and are officially eliminated from postseason contention.
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Report: Jonathan Kuminga giving the cold shoulder to Warriors
Relations between Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors are quickly deteriorating. The veteran forward Kuminga has not responded to the latest offer from the Warriors, according to a report on Tuesday by League Alerts. Kuminga reportedly has not sent a counteroffer or even acknowledged the Warriors’ existing offer, instead choosing to treat them with “silence.” As a result, tensions between the two sides are “escalating,” the report adds. This news comes after veteran NBA writer Marc Stein reported earlier this week that Golden State’s best offer to Kuminga has been for two years and $40 million. However, Kuminga reportedly continues to hold out for a longer-term contract in the range of $25-$30 million per year. The 22-year-old former lottery pick Kuminga, who averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game last year for the Warriors, is a restricted free agent this summer. Thus, if he can’t agree to a long-term deal with Golden State, he can accept the one-year qualifying offer (worth roughly $8 million) and then become an unrestricted free agent next summer. A sign-and-trade that would send Kuminga elsewhere this summer is also a possibility. As it stands right now, the Warriors are the only team that have not yet made a move this offseason (re-signing a player or making an outside addition via free agency or trade). That might not change as long as the Kuminga situation remains unresolved. Free agency in general has mostly slowed to a halt by this point of the offseason. Top names and role players have mostly already signed, but the mid-tier free agents are not finding much luck due to teams not wanting to overpay thanks to the Draconian restrictions that come with being in the second apron of the luxury tax. Kuminga’s situation is also especially complicated because he already had existing animosity with the Warriors before this offseason. In the past, the four-year NBA veteran Kuminga has been the subject of rumors about an allegedly poor relationship with Golden State head coach Steve Kerr and even supposedly with some of his Warriors teammates too.
Yankees’ planned fire sale after Aaron Judge injury epitomizes roster weakness
Would the New York Yankees still be a heavyweight contender without Aaron Judge? Most fans would doubt it. What comes as a shock is that Yankees general manager, Brian Cashman, appears to agree. According to MLB insider Andy Martino of SNY, Cashman had explored the option of selling ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline (6 p.m. EST) if Judge’s flexor strain had turned out to be something worse. Martino wrote this: “[On Saturday], we relayed that the Yankees were floating some of their free-agent-to-be relievers in preliminary trade talks. We have since learned through league sources that last week the Yanks brought up Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt in talks with at least one other club.” It would be strange to see a team with a record well above .500 shop core hitters at the deadline. Both Bellinger and Goldschmidt — hitting .281/.333/.507 with 19 home runs and .283/.341/.419 with eight home runs respectively entering Tuesday — have been valuable producers for the Yankees this year. Goldschmidt signed a one-year deal with the Bronx Bombers over the offseason while Bellinger was acquired via trade with the Cubs. He is signed through 2026 but has a player option at the end of the year. Either player would bring a nice haul back to the Yankees. Of course, the reigning AL MVP’s injury doesn’t seem to be a season-altering, ‘abandon ship’ type of event. Optimistically, Judge should be back soon. But this does serve to illustrate how the team’s success is dependent on one player. Beyond Judge, the Yankees’ batting order doesn’t feature a star-caliber player, or at least a player the lineup can be built around. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, New York lacks enough solid hitters to be considered a worthy contender without Judge. The Yankees’ three bottom-of-the-order hitters — Austin Wells (.214), Anthony Volpe (.213) and newest acquisition Ryan McMahon (.223) — all own batting averages below .230 entering Tuesday. And this doesn’t include J.C. Escarra (.205), Oswald Peraza (.152) or even Ben Rice (.229). If Judge was lost for the season, selling wouldn’t have been a bad idea. He is insoluble glue holding the battered Yankees’ roster together, especially with Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt gone for the year. No one on the trade market could replace him, but with Judge coming back, the Yankees might have enough firepower to at least limp to the finish line.
Pitcher bizarrely faces old team on same day of trade
Seranthony Dominguez certainly had an eventful day on Tuesday. The veteran MLB reliever began the day on the Baltimore Orioles and was with his teammates in the dugout during the first leg of a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays. The O's went on to win, 16-4, at Oriole Park in Baltimore, though Dominguez did not pitch during the game. But the day took a bizarre turn when the two teams agreed to a deal in the middle of the doubleheader. The Orioles traded Dominguez to the Blue Jays in exchange for minor league pitcher Juaron Watts-Brown. That led to a strange scene where Dominguez switched clubhouses after being traded, walking across the hallway to get to the Toronto side. Things got even weirder during the second leg of the doubleheader. Dominguez got the call to pitch for the Blue Jays against his former team. He had to walk past his ex-Baltimore teammates to get to the Toronto bullpen, and then entered the game in the seventh inning to pitch. Here is the unusual spectacle that saw Dominguez pitch against the guys that he began the day as teammates with. The whole thing was so bizarre that it even looked like Dominguez received a hastily-made Blue Jays jersey with the “8” in his No. 48 apparently stuck on backwards. Dominguez, a 30-year-old in his seventh MLB season, ended up striking out two in a scoreless frame against his former team. We have certainly seen instances of MLB players getting traded in the middle of games before, but that had to be the first instance of a player starting the first half of a doubleheader on one team and then pitching in the second half for the other team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Former 1st Round Pick Looking 'Unblockable' In Training Camp
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Calijah Kancey in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, they envisioned a game-changing force in the middle of their defensive line. Fast forward to the 2025 training camp, and Kancey is proving why that investment might pay massive dividends. Described as “unblockable” by those watching Bucs’ camp closely, Kancey’s rapid development and potential breakout season provide hope for a Buccaneers defense that has struggled to generate consistent pressure from the front four in recent years. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Calijah Kancey’s NFL Career Calijah Kancey’s professional career has shown flashes of brilliance despite battling injuries that hindered his first two seasons. Across 26 games, Kancey logged 11.5 sacks, an impressive 21 tackles for loss, and a total of 39 quarterback pressures. His ability to penetrate the offensive line and disrupt plays in the backfield has not gone unnoticed. What’s more, Kancey achieved 7.5 sacks in 2024, leading the Buccaneers’ defense in that category. However, consistency has been an issue, largely due to his availability. Calf injuries have kept Kancey out of eight starts and caused him to leave other games prematurely. Staying healthy remains the first step in his leap from “impactful” to “dominant.” According to Bucs head coach Todd Bowles, keeping Kancey on the field is paramount, with the coaching staff carefully monitoring his workload during camp to reduce injury risk. While Kancey’s production as a pass rusher has been promising, his run defense has been an area needing refinement. Per Pro Football Focus, Kancey earned a run defense grade of 36.2 in 2024, ranking 199th out of 219 qualified defensive linemen. His missed tackle rate also rose from 3.7% in 2023 to 6.7% in 2024, suggesting that improving technique and consistency could take his game to another level. Training Camp Buzz: “Unblockable” on the Field Training camp is where futures are shaped, and Kancey isn’t just taking part; he’s taking over. Reports have described him as “unblockable” during drills, with analysts like Pete Prisco of CBS Sports hinting at a possible All-Pro season for the third-year defensive tackle. Veteran teammates such as Vita Vea have taken notice of Kancey’s progression, with Vea praising his work ethic and stating, “I expect big things from him.” What makes Kancey particularly dangerous is his blend of speed and agility at the point of attack. At 6’0” and 280 pounds, his smaller frame for an interior lineman might initially seem like a disadvantage, but he leverages it into a quick first step that routinely leaves offensive linemen off-balance. Kancey’s dedication to refining his technique is also paying dividends. “I know [with] me being an undersized guy, I can’t afford to lack technique,” Kancey admitted. This self-awareness is making him a more effective—and dangerous—presence on the line. The coaching staff is equally optimistic. Defensive line coach Charlie Strong appreciates the energy and effort Kancey brings every day, noting how those traits align with the defensive scheme they hope to deploy this season. Combining veteran experience with youthful explosiveness, Tampa Bay might finally have a complete defensive line capable of dictating games. What Kancey’s Rise Means for the Bucs The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made no secret of their desire to improve their pass rush without relying on heavy blitzing. Last season, the lack of consistent pressure forced Bowles to take risks with his secondary, leaving them exposed against quality quarterbacks. If Kancey continues to dominate in the trenches, the ripple effects on the Bucs’ defense could be massive. Enhancing the Defensive Line Kancey’s emergence allows the Buccaneers to deploy more creative looks on the defensive line. His ability to generate pressure from the interior opens opportunities for edge rushers to thrive. Additionally, his partnership with Vita Vea provides a formidable one-two punch that can collapse pockets and force quarterbacks into hurried decisions. The addition of rookie Elijah Roberts further bolsters the unit, offering even more depth and versatility. With a cohesive and productive front four, Tampa Bay could finally challenge opposing offensive lines effectively, giving its defense the edge needed to stay competitive in the NFC South. Supporting the Secondary A better pass rush benefits everyone, including the secondary. Last season, the Buccaneers’ cornerbacks and safeties often had to hold coverage for extended periods, leading to breakdowns against top-tier offenses. If Kancey and the defensive line can disrupt plays early, the secondary will have a much more manageable task. Furthermore, a dominant interior disruptor like Kancey can wreak havoc on third-and-long situations, where offenses are forced to take risks. By winning on early downs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can control the pace of games and dictate terms defensively, a hallmark of Bowles’ philosophy. Momentum in a Pivotal Season For a team that finds itself at a crossroads following the Tom Brady era, Kancey’s rise represents hope for the next chapter of Buccaneers football. Tampa Bay’s aspirations for a playoff berth depend heavily on the defense not only holding its own but also becoming a consistent game-changing unit. Calijah Kancey’s breakout potential aligns with this timeline, and his growth could spark a cultural shift emphasizing relentless effort and disciplined execution. For teammates and fans alike, watching Kancey dominate in training camp is a reminder of what’s possible when potential meets preparation. Challenges Ahead Despite the optimism, challenges remain. Kancey’s health is a critical factor, and his ability to improve against the run will be closely scrutinized. NFL offenses will undoubtedly test his durability and technique in ways training camp cannot replicate. Additionally, while training camp success is promising, translating that dominance to regular-season competition is the ultimate test. Can Kancey consistently disrupt elite offensive lines? Can he play a full season without setbacks? These questions will define not only Kancey’s individual success but also the Buccaneers’ defensive trajectory. Final Thoughts Calijah Kancey’s buzzworthy training camp performance isn’t just encouraging—it’s potentially game-changing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His ability to stay healthy and elevate his game this season could transform a Tampa Bay defense eager to reclaim its dominance. From starting as a promising rookie to potentially becoming a centerpiece of the Bucs’ front-four resurgence, Kancey’s rise is a storyline to watch closely. If his training camp performances are a sign of things to come, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might just have their breakout star—and a brighter defensive future to look forward to.
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