Basketball

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid gingerly plopped into his seat set to explain yet another season-ending playoff loss, a familiar scene year-after-year for Philadelphia’s oft-injured All-Star center. Embiid, though, wasn’t alone.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Josh Hart rattled a box of candy — “Mike and Ike’s, baby!” — to explain where he found the energy boost to hit the winning 3-pointer in Game 6.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Coach Rick Carlisle kept insisting the Indiana Pacers should strive for more than just making the playoffs. He thought his young team could win, advance, maybe even play into late May or June.

DENVER (AP) — A supremely confident Reggie Jackson was just waiting to let loose as he watched Jamal Murray dribble past Nikola Jokic's high screen with the seconds ticking away on the Los Angeles Lakers' season.

Minnesota Timberwolves (56-26, third in the Western Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (57-25, second in the Western Conference) Denver; Saturday, 7 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK : LINE Nuggets -4.5; over/under is 207.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — With a frenzied Philly crowd clamoring for defense, Josh Hart hesitated for just a second after Jalen Brunson passed him the ball from the left wing before Hart realized the 76ers weren't playing any D on him.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Obi Toppin scored 21 points, T.J. McConnell had 20 points and nine assists and the Indiana Pacers won a playoff series for the first time in a decade, beating the Milwaukee Bucks 120-98 in Game 6 on Thursday night.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin complemented one another's play perfectly Thursday night. They were still trading fist bumps long after the Indiana Pacers celebrated a rare series-clinching victory.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bradley Cooper rocked a Dr. J jacket from his courtside seat at Game 6.

The Orlando Magic desperately want an opportunity to go back on the road. The Los Angeles Clippers are hoping to go home, though not for good.