EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHILADELPHIA -- Sixers coach Nick Nurse expressed optimism that reigning MVP Joel Embiid will be back on the court before the end of the regular season."I think there's a very good likelihood that he will return before the play-in, playoff," Nurse said before the Sixers' game Wednesday night against the LA Clippers.Embiid hasn't played since Jan. 30, when…

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOKLAHOMA CITY -- Superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will sit out the Thunder's home game against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday due to a right quadriceps contusion.Gilgeous-Alexander originally suffered the injury during a March 20 win over the Utah Jazz. He played in the Thunder's next three games but hasn't performed up to his MVP-candidate standards, averaging 19.7 points…

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsRICHMOND, Va. -- Negotiations on luring the NHL's Washington Capitals and the NBA's Washington Wizards to northern Virginia have "ended" and the proposal to create a development district with a new arena for the teams "will not move forward," the city of Alexandria said Wednesday.Virginia's House speaker also confirmed he was told that Ted Leonsis, majority owner of…

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMEMPHIS, Tenn. -- LeBron James is expected to be available Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies after sitting out the Los Angeles Lakers' 128-124 come-from-behind win in double overtime Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, sources told ESPN.James was sidelined in Milwaukee because of left ankle soreness, something that he has been playing through for several months.The Grizzlies matchup is…