The Christmas Day game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics averaged 5 million viewers, representing an 18% decline from last year's window. Despite the decline, it was the most watched game of the season thus far. 

At least four out of the five games saw a decline from last year, with figures not available for the Warriors-Nuggets matchup.

The opening game between the Bucks and Knicks averaged 2.49 million viewers, down 39% from the Sixers-Knicks last year.

The Mavs-Suns game was down 42% with 1.47 million viewers, with the Sixers-Heat down 73% with 1.3 million viewers.

All three NFL games on Monday averaged more than 27 million viewers. 

Joel Embiid will miss the Philadelphia 76ers' game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday with a sprained right ankle.

Embiid missed the team's Christmas Day game against the Heat with the injury.

Nick Nurse said he expected Embiid to be back in the lineup soon. 

“Again, kinda like I said yesterday (Monday), he’s getting treatment. Obviously, he’s not here, but he’s on the court today moving so I think we’re not too far away," said Nurse. 

Ja Morant and Joel Embiid have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for Week 9.

Morant averaged 28.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 9.0 assists as the Memphis Grizzlies went 3-1. Morant returned from his 25-game suspension last week.

Embiid averaged 40.7 points, 12.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists as the Philadelphia 76ers went 2-1.

The Philadelphia 76ers have been linked to Zach LaVine since it was reported that the Chicago Bulls guard wanted a trade. However, the Sixers don't seem all that interested in trading for LaVine.

Philadelphia is said to be prioritizing players who play on both ends of the floor. The 76ers also want to maintain some cap flexibility.

LaVine is a notable offensive player but has never been lauded for his defensive ability. He's also owed $40.1 million this season, which is a difficult salary to match in trade. Beyond this season, LaVine is owed nearly $138 million over the next three seasons. That makes trading for him a significant investment via trade (in terms of players and draft capital) and on the cap sheet.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid will not play in his teams Christmas Day game at the Miami Heat. Embiid is out due to a sprained right ankle.

Embiid was injured in the Sixers victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday. It's unknown what the reigning MVP's status will be beyond the Christmas Day game. The 76ers travel to Orlando to play the Magic on Wednesday. Embiid did not travel with Philadelphia to Miami, but could potentially rejoin the team in Orlando later this week.

The Philadelphia 76ers are adding forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. on a two-way contract. To clear room for Lofton, the Sixers are waiving guard Javonte Smart.

Lofton was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies earlier in the week. Memphis needed to create a roster spot when Ja Morant was reinstated from the suspended list.

The 6-foot-6 forward appeared in 39 NBA games with the Grizzlies over the past two seasons. He's averaged 4.1 points in seven minutes per game over that period.

In the G League, Lofton has been a dominant scorer and rebounder. In 32 games over two seasons with the Memphis Hustle, Lofton has averaged 22.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.

Smart appeared in one NBA game for 76ers this season.

Joel Embiid is the early frontrunner for 23-24 NBA Most Valuable Player following the first ESPN straw poll by Tim Bontemps of the season.

Embiid received 63 out of 100 first place votes and 27 second place votes to finish with 848 points. 

Nikola Jokic is second in the poll with 21 first place votes, 41 second place votes and 30 third place votes.

Embiid and Jokic have occupied the first two MVP spots in each of the past three seasons. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic round out the top-5.

Other players receiving votes are Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, De'Aaron Fox and Rudy Gobert.

Daryl Morey has signed a contract extension with the Philadelphia 76ers through the 27-28 season. The length of the deal aligns Morey with the contract signed by Nick Nurse last offseason.

The Sixers hired Morey in November 2020.

Morey has a .624 winning percentage between his tenures with the Houston Rockets and 76ers, including nine 50-win seasons and 12 trips to the playoffs. 

The Chicago Bulls are continuing to explore the trade market for Zach LaVine. Both the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers are expected to have interest in trading for LaVine.

Both the Lakers, who have to wait until January 15 for several players to become trade-eligible, and the Sixers are operating with patience in letting the trade market develop.

LaVine is set to miss three-to-four weeks with inflammation in his right foot. Teams are watching how the Bulls guard recovers from that injury and his eventual return to play before engaging on potential trade talks.

Almost a year ago, it was reported that James Harden was considering a return to the Houston Rockets in 2023 free agency. At the time, all parties involved denied the reports.

Now, Harden is saying that not only was returning to Houston a consideration, but that there was a meeting with the Rockets. Harden was under contract to the Philadelphia 76ers during this time.

Harden said that his representation met with Rockets coach Ime Udoka. This meeting would have had to have taken place sometime on or after April 25, as that's when Udoka was hired by Houston.

"Representation, (Rockets) head coach (Ime Udoka)," Harden told Sam Amick of The Athletic. "That was it."

Harden picked up his player option to extend his contract with the Sixers on June 29. Harden then requested a trade. He was ultimately dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers on November 1.

It was not clarified when Harden's reps met with Udoka, or if it was with permission from Philadelphia to do so. It was also not clear if Harden was a part of the meeting, or if it was only his representation meeting with Udoka.