Embiid stars as 76ers beat Bucks 121-109

Kyrie Irving is expected to miss one to two weeks with a bulging disk in his back. The Dallas Mavericks have optimism that treatment over the coming days will provide a return-to-play target.

Irving was announced as out for Monday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies due to a lumbar sprain in his back. The Mavericks are already without Luka Doncic with a calf injury.

Irving has performed at an All-Star level in his 14th NBA season, averaging 24.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 49.0% from the floor and a career-best 44.1% from 3-point range.

The trade market for Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins continues to swirl. The Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers all have registered vary degrees of interest in trading for Collins.

Recently, the Hawks gave Collins representatives to seek a deal on their own. Atlanta is currently in a front office transition, as Travis Schlenk stepped aside from leading the basketball operations. Landry Fields was promoted to general manager, and Kyle Korver was elevated to assistant GM.

Collins’ production has dipped this season, as he’s often the Hawks third to fifth option on many nights. The sixth-year big man is taking just 10.3 field goal attempts per game, which is his lowest figure since his rookie season. Without consistent touches, Collins’ field goal percentage has fallen under 50% (49.6%) for the first time in his career, including a career-low 23.6% on three-pointers.