NBA Weekly Recap: Week 5

Story posted November 21, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Christopher Reynolds

The week started with an all-time performance from Joel Embiid, who led the 76ers against the Utah Jazz in a 105-98 victory.

Embiid put up nearly a quadruple-double, with 59 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and seven blocks.

The 76ers team as a whole had a great week, even with James Harden out with a foot injury. The Sixers took down the Bucks 110-102 behind Embiid’s 32 points.

The Bucks started the season 9-0, but since then are 2-4. They lost two out of three games this week, and seem unable to fill the offensive void left by Khris Middleton, who’s dealing with a wrist injury.

The Boston Celtics have taken over the Eastern Conference and are currently riding a nine-game winning streak.

Seven players on the roster are averaging double-digit points per game, with Jayson Tatum leading the way with 30.3 points per game.

In the Western Conference, there is still a plethora of teams competing for the top spot.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, who are .500, are only three games behind the first seed, showing how competitive the conference is.

One of the biggest surprises so far this season has been Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has taken a major step forward as a scorer.

His last two seasons were cut short due to injury, but so far this season he looks healthy and is averaging 31.1 points per game.

He is the driving offensive force for the rebuilding Oklahoma City Thunder, who are 7-9 this season, which is far better than what was expected of them before the season.

On that note, injuries have started to come up this season, derailing some teams for the time being.

Cade Cunningham is having a solid sophomore season, averaging nearly 20 points per game. However, he’ll be out indefinitely as he recovers what the team fears to be a stress fracture in his shin.

Paolo Banchero’s rookie season has also been on hold as he hasn’t played since Nov. 7. He is dealing with an ankle injury and is expected to be out for another week.

The Memphis Grizzlies are dealing with two major injuries as Ja Morant will be out indefinitely after suffering a Grade 1 ankle sprain on Friday, and Desmond Bane will be out two-to-three weeks with a Grade 2 sprained big toe.

Morant and Bane are averaging a combined 53.3 points per game, so without them, the Grizzlies’ offense will have to drastically change.

Luckily for them, Jaren Jackson Jr. just returned from an injury, but the star duo backcourt that creates the offense will be out for the time being.

The 76ers lost Harden last week for at least a month with a foot injury, but now Tyrese Maxey will be out for three-to-four weeks with a small fracture in his foot.

The roster was lacking depth to begin with, placing last in points off the bench. Now without the second and third scoring option, the Sixers are going to have to rely on Embiid more than ever.

Christopher Reynolds is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at clr5971@psu.edu.