Viewership for the NBA's Christmas Day slate was up 5% from last season, with the five games averaging a 1.8 rating with 4.31 million viewers.

The Bucks-Celtics matchup recorded the highest viewership in the day with 6.08 million viewers and a 2.25 rating. Viewership was up 17% from last year's equivalent game, with the Celtics win also representing the first time since 1995 that the most-watched Christmas Day did not feature Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or LeBron James. 

Three out of the five games registered a double-digit increase in viewership. The Grizzlies-Warriors and Lakers-Mavs were both down in ratings from their equivalent time slots last season.

With an average of 1.9 and 4.07 million viewers, the Sixers-Knicks was the most-watched Noon ET Christmas Day game since 2011.

The Suns-Nuggets was also the most-watched late-night Christmas game since 2015. 

An ESPN report last week indicated James Harden has interest in returning to the Houston Rockets this offseason as a free agent depending on how the next few months plays out with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Harden was also a free agent last offseason and signed a two-year, $68.6 million deal with the Sixers that contains a player option for 23-24.

At the age of 33, Harden could continue signing shorter term deals in order to maintain flexibility.

"There are a lot of whispers around the league that he wants to continue cycling through one-plus-one kind of deals," said Zach Lowe.

Tyrese Maxey is set to return to the Philadelphia 76ers lineup this Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Maxey has been out since November 18 with a foot injury.

Maxey, who will likely be on a minutes restriction, is averaging 22.9 points and 4.4 assists on the season. 

The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to sign Louis King to a Two-Way contract, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

King is averaging 20 points per game for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

The Sixers will waive Saben Lee to create a roster spot for King, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

The New York Knicks have held internal discussions over the possibility of trading for Tobias Harris, reported Ian Begley of SNY.

"The Knicks have talked internally about the idea of acquiring Tobias Harris via trade before their winning streak started ... Tom Thibodeau spoke highly of him before the game, so that's just one name to keep an eye on," said Begley following the Knicks' 119-112 loss to the Sixers on Sunday.

Harris is averaging 17.0 points and 6.3 rebounds on the season. 

James Harden is seriously considering returning to the Houston Rockets this offseason as a free agent if he decides against a new deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Harden and his camp have been openly weighing a return to Houston in recent weeks and months.

Harden requested a trade from the Rockets before the 20-21 season.

Harden signed a two-year, $68.6 million contract with the Sixers, including a player option for 2023-2024 that allows him to re-enter free agency this summer. 

Harden remains drawn to the community, lifestyle and family in Houston. 

The Houston front office would have to evaluate how bringing back Harden would impact their young core of talent of Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Kevin Porter Jr. 

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“... So we can be better as a team," said Embiid in an interview with Jake Fischer of Yahoo. "I think we are really good, and we still got a long way to go. But I love where we’re at. It’s all about everybody giving up themselves and coming together as a team so we can accomplish what we want to do.”

Embiid was then asked to deliver a message to the fans of the Sixers that are panicking and want to fire Doc Rivers.

“I don’t know,” Embiid said, shrugging. “Sixers fans, they want to trade me.” 

Fischer then said "You don't believe that."

"I do believe that," replied Embiid. "They want to trade me."

Fischer said that the fans definitely don't want Embiid and traded and would prefer a coaching change.

"Look, all I can do is try to do my best every game," said Embiid. "I’m grateful to be in this position, because it’s not an easy job. If it was easy, everybody would do it."

Zion Williamson and Joel Embiid have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for Week 8.

Williamson averaged 33.0 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 70.4 percent from the floor.

Embiid averaged 43.4 points and 10.3 rebounds for the week.