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  • Sixers mailbag: Does it make sense to try to trade Paul George before the trade deadline?

    Sixers mailbag: Does it make sense to try to trade Paul George before the trade deadline?

    The 76ers will look to beat the Washington Wizards for the second time in as many meetings when the squads play Tuesday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    The Sixers took a 139-134 overtime victory over the Wizards on Oct. 28 at Capital One Arena.

    Washington takes a 2-16 record into Monday’s home game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Wizards were riding a 14-game losing streak before defeating the Atlanta Hawks, 132-113, on Tuesday. They followed that rare win with a 119-86 road loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

    The Sixers’ season has 2024-25 vibes with Joel Embiid and Paul George missing substantial time

    The Sixers dropped to 10-9 after Sunday’s 142-134 double-overtime loss to the Hawks. Since defeating the Wizards, the Sixers have lost nine of their last 15 games.

    So the Wizards are a good opponent to help break out of their funk. Well, find out more on Tuesday.

    In the meantime, I’ll answer a few of your mailbag questions.

    Missed out on the party? No worries. Submit questions for next time by tweeting @PompeyOnSixers to X with the hashtag #PompeysMailbagFlow.

    Sixers VJ Edgecombe greets Jared McCain during a break in the Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers NBA game at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025.

    Q: Jared McCain is looking so much better in the last few games! Is he still wearing the heavy knee brace under the white sleeve, or has he graduated to a smaller brace or no brace? — @Bob_Zampini

    A: Thanks for starting the mailbag! McCain has looked good in the last few games. The second-year guard averaged 16.7 points while shooting 47.4% on three-pointers in the three games before Sunday’s contest against the Hawks.

    McCain stopped wearing the heavy knee brace he had worn upon his return last month, after tearing the lateral meniscus in his left knee on Dec. 13. But he started wearing what he called “just a smaller little thing on my [left] leg” during his two-game assignment with Delaware Blue Coats on Nov. 13 and 15.

    Q: Would it make sense for the Sixers to try to trade Paul George before the trade deadline? It may impact the Sixers’ playoff chances this year, but it would free up valuable salary cap space and possibly get a first-round pick in return. Is that a realistic option? — @Topsheff88

    A: It depends on his level of play and how competitive the Sixers are heading into the trade deadline. At this time, the Sixers’ brass and coaching staff should be all in on making a deep postseason run, knowing that anything else could cost them their jobs. And in George’s first three games back, he’s been a solid complementary player to Tyrese Maxey.

    The nine-time All-Star opened his first four games as an aggressive scoring option. Afterward, George did a good job running the Sixers’ offense in the half-court and provided solid defense.

    Sixers forward Paul George shoots the basketball against the Miami Heat on Sunday, November 23, 2025 in Philadelphia.

    But I get it. He underachieved last season and has been hampered by injuries after signing his four-year, $212 million contract on July 6, 2024. And the 35-year-old isn’t getting any younger. Trading him would allow them to shed the final two seasons of his deal.

    The Sixers’ season has 2024-25 vibes with Joel Embiid and Paul George missing substantial time

    George would have to play at a high level for a team looking to add a key piece for a playoff run to shed a first-rounder, among other things, in return. And if he’s playing at a high level and meshing well with Maxey, the Sixers must ask themselves, are they still willing to trade him?

    Q: What do you think the starting five will be (and should be) when Kelly Oubre Jr. and VJ Edgecombe are back? Obviously, the center position will depend on Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond’s health — @GermanChoco1ate

    A: I keep going back and forth with Oubre and Dominick Barlow being the fifth starter. Both have played great, and deserve to be in the lineup. However, I’m going with Oubre, George, Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, and Maxey. Barlow would be the seventh man behind Quentin Grimes.

    Oubre has been the Sixers’ X Factor this season.

    Before he suffered an LCL sprain in his left knee, Oubre’s averages of 16.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals took a back seat to the play of the Sixers’ stellar backcourt pairing of Maxey and Edgecombe in the first 12 games.

    But Oubre excels when the ball is moving, and he did a solid job of guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player.

    Sixers Kelly Oubre Jr dunks the ball to give the Sixers a 123-116 lead in the fourth quarter of the Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers NBA game at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.

    The Sixers have definitely missed his impact in the last seven games. For them to be competitive, Oubre must get healthy and resume playing at a high level. His importance to the team, especially as a perimeter defender, is the reason why he needs to start.

    Q: Is there any way to trade Embiid once he is reasonably healthy? — @dumasroxx

    A: There’s always one of two teams willing to take a gamble. But the 31-year-old is making $55.2 million this season, and his three-year, $193 million extension begins next season.

    That’s a tremendous amount of money for a team to take on for a player with an extensive injury history. I noted before that a team president of basketball operations would have to be really secure in their job to make that trade. And that hasn’t changed.

    Now, if Embiid can play at 80% of his former self, his addition to most teams makes them instant championship contenders. But if he gets injured and is unable to play, that could go down as one of the worst trades in NBA history.

  • What a professional home appraiser wants you to know

    What a professional home appraiser wants you to know

    If you’re buying a home, refinancing your mortgage, or just want to know how much your home is worth, you’re probably going to need a property appraisal.

    At its most basic, “an appraisal is an opinion of value for a home,” said Matthew Sestito, a Philadelphia-based appraiser who works throughout the five-county area for the national company Velox Valuations.

    Lenders require borrowers to get them for mortgages and lines of credit against a home. Families get appraisals to assess the value of properties after a divorce or a loved one’s death.

    Costs depend on the scope of work, the type of property, and the borrower’s bank, but appraisals can range from about $300 to thousands of dollars, Sestito said.

    A lot of people don’t understand the appraisal process, he said, and they’re very nervous the first time an appraiser comes to their home.

    “You don’t have to be nervous,” he said. “It’s an easy inspection.”

    The Inquirer talked to Sestito, who has been a licensed appraiser since 2009, about what people should know about home appraisals. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

    When you do an appraisal, what factors do you take into account?

    The basic number of bedrooms, bathrooms. And then the amenities: decks, patios, garages. And then the overall condition: updated kitchens, updated bathrooms. And so on.

    Location is always the No. 1 thing in real estate. The market dictates what is desired. And then there’s submarkets to each market. And what each market is looking for varies.

    And then there’s different price points. A bathroom in a million-dollar home is different than a bathroom in a $300,000 home.

    What the market is telling us is what we use to determine our opinion of value.

    What should homeowners expect when an appraiser comes to their property?

    The length of an appraisal depends on the size of the home. For example, if I were to do a standard South Philly rowhouse with two stories, three bedrooms, it takes about 15 minutes.

    I’ll take a picture of the front of the house, the street view. And then when I come in the door, it’s a photo of the living room, dining room, kitchen, back of the house, backyard, bathrooms, each bedroom, then the basement.

    Then I’ll take some measurements: the width of the house, the length.

    I’ll talk to the homeowner and ask them anything they’ve done to the house, updates like kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, windows.

    And then I’ll explain to them that I’ll type the report, give it to the lender, and then it’s basically out of my hands after that.

    One of the common questions is: Do I get a copy of the report? The answer is no, from me. I’m not legally allowed to give you a copy of the report if this is for a refinance or a purchase. The bank is the client who orders the report, and legally, whoever orders the appraisal is the owner of the appraisal.

    If they want to release it to you, they will. I don’t think I’ve come across a bank saying, “No, you can’t have a copy of it.”

    What types of property design choices and features matter for an appraisal?

    It goes back to the market. But you can’t go wrong with updated kitchens, updated bathrooms, flooring, windows, roof, driveway.

    Parking, especially in the city, is almost No. 1. If you have a spot to park, that’s like gold.

    And then adding a deck, a roof deck, patio, all those things add value to the house.

    It’s all determined by what the market will be willing to pay.

    How should a homeowner prepare for an appraisal?

    You know, make the house look presentable. You’re showcasing your house.

    I always tell people clutter doesn’t matter. I look through the clutter. So if there are toys on the floor, I don’t even see them. But it’s better to clean up.

    Turn all the lights on. It looks better in the photos.

    Lenders are looking for any safety issues: missing handrails, broken steps, anything that could cause a health or safety issue, any mold. Get them taken care of, because they will call for that repair. Missing handrails in the basement is one of the biggest ones.

    And not having smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It just started recently within the past couple years that they started asking for those to be in the homes.

    How do you choose and use comps (sales of comparable homes)?

    Lining each comp up and seeing what each home has, how many bedrooms, how many bathrooms, and just comparing each home. If you have a three-bedroom house, I’ll start looking for three-bedroom homes.

    I start out [looking] at [comparable homes that sold within] three months, then six months, then one year if need be.

    Typically, within the city, you try to stay within a quarter mile. I’ll expand to a half a mile sometimes if I need comps. But you typically want to stay within a quarter mile of the home.

    I’ll narrow it down to where I have some matches of the property that I’m trying to appraise. I look at a ton of houses every day.

    What are common misconceptions people have about appraisals?

    There are a lot of checks and balances when we hand in the report. The report runs through a computer software program. There are multiple reviewers. And they’re looking at everything. They’re asking why you didn’t use certain comps or why you did use these comps.

    There are a lot of regulations that we have to follow. It’s not just as simple as taking photos and saying your house is worth this amount.

    What happens if a house appraises differently than you expected?

    There is a formal process. You can file an appeal and then you provide some comparables that you think the appraiser should have used. And there’s a review process.

  • How Chestnut Hill’s main street is staying relevant in the Amazon era

    How Chestnut Hill’s main street is staying relevant in the Amazon era

    At lunchtime on a Thursday, a week before Thanksgiving, Chestnut Hill was buzzing.

    Inside the newly expanded Matines Café, almost every table was full. People sipped warm drinks from large mugs and ate Parisian croissants and quiche. Bottles of prosecco sat on ice by one large table adorned with Happy Birthday balloons.

    McNally’s Tavern was bustling, too, with regulars sitting at the bar and at tables inside the cozy, nearly 125-year-old establishment atop the hill. Multiple generations gathered — a son taking a father out to lunch, a mother with a baby in a stroller, and two sisters, Anne and Meg McNally, running the place.

    Behind the storefronts along Germantown Avenue’s main drag, some people perused the boutiques, while others typed away on laptops in coffee shops.

    In the northwest Philadelphia neighborhood known for its wealth and postcard-picturesque aesthetic, the small-town charm of longstanding establishments — four are more than 100 years old — is now complemented by the shine of some newer shops and restaurants. Several Chestnut Hill business owners said the variety has helped both old and new spots succeed despite broader economic challenges, including inflation and tariffs, and the loss of a few restaurants.

    A view down Germantown Avenue from the Chestnut Hill SEPTA Regional Rail station.
    The closed Iron Hill Brewery is shown in downtown Chestnut Hill on Nov. 19.

    As the owner of Kilian Hardware, which has been in business for 112 years, Russell Goudy Jr. has watched the avenue change. Fifty years ago, he said it was “basically like a shopping mall,” a one-stop shop for everyday needs.

    In recent years, however, the neighborhood has focused on attracting and retaining unique food and beverage businesses, “quaint, specialty shops,” and service-oriented businesses, which Goudy said offer experiences Amazon and other e-commerce platforms can’t replicate.

    “If you’re not giving people an experience in today’s economy, it’s very tough to compete,” said Nicole Beltz, co-owner of Serendipity Shops, which for a decade has had an expansive store on Germantown Avenue. And providing a memorable experience is never more important than during the lucrative last few months of the year.

    “When you come to Chestnut Hill over the holidays, you get what you came for,” Beltz said. “You get that charming feeling of being somewhere special for the holiday.”

    People walk by holiday decor outside Robertson’s Flowers & Events in Chestnut Hill earlier this month.

    ‘New vitality’ coming to the Chestnut Hill restaurant scene

    During the holidays and all year long, Chestnut Hill business owners said they’re grateful that the neighborhood has held onto its charm despite recent challenges.

    During the pandemic, “it definitely felt a little grim and dark,” said Ann Nevel, retail advocate for the Chestnut Hill Business District. “The impressive thing is the old-timers, the iconic businesses, and some of the newer restaurants … pretty much all were agile enough to tough it out.”

    And a slew of other businesses have moved into the community since then. In the last four years, 20 retail shops, 20 service businesses, and 10 food and beverage spots opened in Chestnut Hill, Nevel said, while several existing establishments expanded.

    Among them was Matines Café, which opened a small spot on Bethlehem Pike in 2022 and expanded this fall to a second, much larger location on Highland Avenue. The café serves 500 people or more on weekdays, according to its owners, and even more on weekends.

    Sitting inside their original location, which is now a cozy children’s café, Paris natives Amanda and Arthur de Bruc recalled that they originally thought they’d open a café in Center City, where they lived at time. Then, they visited Chestnut Hill and fell in love, despite “a lot of empty spots” there around 2022, Amanda de Bruc said.

    A colorful storefront along Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill.

    “We liked the idea of living in the suburbs, which technically Chestnut Hill is not the suburbs, because it’s still Philly,” she said. But “we were looking for something that we were more used to, like Paris. There are so many boutiques in such a small area,” and everything is walkable.

    The opening of shops and cafés like Matines became a “catalyst for this new vitality, a new, more contemporary energy that has taken hold in Chestnut Hill,” Nevel said. Soon, “we’re going to see that new vitality in the restaurant scene,” including in some long-vacant storefronts.

    In 2026, former Four Seasons sommelier Damien Graef is set to open a wine bar, retail store, and fine-dining spot called Lovat Square off Germantown Avenue, Nevel said. On the avenue, a café-diner-pub concept called the Blue Warbler is under construction and also slated to open sometime next year.

    Kilian Hardware in Chestnut Hill has been in business for 112 years.

    In downtown Chestnut Hill, there are still a few empty spots, including those left by Campbell’s Place, a popular restaurant that closed this summer; Diamond Spa, which closed this fall; Iron Hill Brewery, which closed in September (right before the regional chain filed for bankruptcy); and Fiesta Pizza III, which closed last year.

    Kismet Bagels, a popular local chain, was set to fill one of the spots this summer, but its deal fell through, co-owner Jacob Cohen said in a statement. He said they could “revisit the Chestnut Hill neighborhood” in the future.

    While the future of Iron Hill will be dictated by bankruptcy proceedings — which include an auction of assets set for next month — stakeholders say conversations are ongoing about some of the other vacancies.

    Shuttered Iron Hill breweries sit empty across the Philly area. What will become of them?

    Steve Jeffries, who is selling the Campbell’s building for $1.5 million, said he’s gotten a lot of interest from people who want to revive the nearly 3,000-square-foot space as a neighborhood pub, but one that is “more cutting edge.” Perhaps, he said, one that is not focused on craft beer, which has decreased in popularity, especially among younger generations.

    “The town is just screaming for other opportunities for nightlife and sports bars,” said Jeffries, executive vice president of Equity CRE. “There has been a connotation in the market that Chestnut Hill was kind of older, stuffy, that it wasn’t a nightlife town.”

    But that’s changing, Jeffries said.

    Char & Stave, an all-day coffee and cocktail bar, has done great business since moving into Chestnut Hill, its owner, Jared Adkins, said.

    Just ask Jared Adkins, owner of Char & Stave, an all-day coffee and cocktail bar at the corner of Germantown and Highland Avenues.

    After Nevel visited Ardmore and saw the success of Adkins’ original Char & Stave, she recruited him to open a Chestnut Hill location. It started as a holiday pop-up in 2022, then became a permanent presence the next year. Since he moved into town, Adkins said, business has been booming.

    “We’re really just busy all day long,” said Adkins. The café is open until 11 p.m. during the week, midnight on the weekends, and it often brings in musicians and hosts events.

    Adkins describes Char & Stave as a place where drinkers and nondrinkers alike can spend time together, and where people can get work done with coffee or a cocktail beside them: “It’s really a gathering place that fills a niche of a nice cocktail place.”

    More changes to come for Chestnut Hill

    Businesses along Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill are decorated for the holidays.

    Chestnut Hill business leaders and community members say they’re optimistic about the neighborhood’s continued evolution.

    As Brien Tilley, a longtime resident and community volunteer, ate lunch inside Cosimo’s Pizza Cafe, he said the community is doing well. But, he added, “it could always do better. It’s always in transition.”

    Nevel noted that restaurants require more capital to open than other businesses, so it can take awhile to fill those larger holes downtown.

    “The economy is tough,” said Anne McNally, a fourth-generation owner of McNally’s, as she sat by the tavern’s front window overlooking Germantown Avenue. But in Chestnut Hill, she gets the vibe that the community “wants us to be successful.”

    McNally and Goudy, of Kilian’s, both noted that their families bought their buildings decades ago. That has contributed to their longevity, both said, as has evolving with the customer base.

    For the McNally family, that meant transitioning from a “bar-bar,” with no clock or phone, to a bar-restaurant that closes at 10 p.m. For Goudy, it meant soliciting online orders and walk-in business from out-of-town and even out-of-state customers whose older homes require unique hardware.

    “Everything is changing,” Goudy said. “It’s important to keep changing and not to try to go back to where you were before.”

  • Horoscopes: Monday, Dec. 1, 2025

    ARIES (March 21-April 19). Things aren’t clear-cut today. Since the “right” answer isn’t obvious, stop worrying about being perfect and just do what helps. Wisdom isn’t moral math. It’s an emergent property of motion. It’s acting in someone’s best interest.

    TAURUS (April 20-May 20). To understand you quickly, people may slot you into a category. That’s their limitation, not yours. Since you defy categorization, you may as well ignore these attempts. Keep exploring the whole array of you.

    GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Efficiency isn’t always best. Today you see a shortcut but may opt not to take it. The scenic route gives you something speed can’t: company, conversation and small moments that make the whole trip worth it.

    CANCER (June 22-July 22). If the rest of the week felt just like today, would you be happy about that? Don’t wait for something big to change the mood. Tweak the energy now. A small shift today shapes the whole stretch ahead.

    LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your big plans are getting bigger. Ironically, that means focusing on dozens of small, crucial details today. The care you take now is what will make the whole thing unforgettable later.

    VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Maybe these distractions should be the main event. They certainly will add color, texture and spice. They make good memories, and that gives you a chance to enjoy life repeatedly.

    LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). When you’re not sure of the rules or the situation seems a bit chaotic, you go out of your way to make sure you’ve done the right thing. But put a limit on those efforts. Let other people assume some of the responsibility for how things evolve.

    SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Using your talent is satisfying. It’s so good to do what you love. It may seem like you’re not using your gifts enough right now, but hopefully the little taste of satisfaction will be encouragement to take a bigger bite.

    SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’re in pursuit of something exciting. The real fun isn’t in catching it; it’s in the chase. The buildup is delicious, the strategy engages your whole mind, and the flirtation is where the magic is. Savor!

    CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You shouldn’t have to impress anyone today, especially not the people who are already supposed to love and support you. If you’re always driven to do extra, perform or serve, consider there may be an imbalance in play. It’s worth pondering.

    AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll learn a lot about someone from the usual questions, but the fun ones tell you even more. Ask something unexpected and see how they play. Their sense of humor will tell you what kind of soul you’re dealing with.

    PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). What’s always available will not be properly valued no matter how intrinsically valuable it is. You can use this idea to motivate others today. If they have taken your attention for granted, holding back a bit will help them appreciate you.

    TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 1). Welcome to your Year of the Golden Thread. You’ll trace connections between passions, people and projects and discover how everything meaningful in your life is already woven together. You’ll see your legacy develop in magical ways and know it’s directly related to how you show up daily. More highlights: a surprise promotion, a rekindled friendship and travel that opens a door to wealth. Taurus and Leo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 17, 22, 45 and 10.

  • Woman’s mom is sabotaging her healthy eating habits

    DEAR ABBY: I am a stepgrandmother of a disabled granddaughter, “Laura,” who has Down syndrome. She is 38. A few years ago, she weighed more than 300 pounds at only 5 feet tall. She ended up in the hospital with blood clots and almost died. The courts gave guardianship to her dad, my son-in-law. Laura’s mother has visitation with Laura only one day a week for four hours.

    When they are together, she feeds Laura so much junk food that when Laura comes home, she gets sick. Her dad has spoken to his ex-wife about this issue, but she continues to do it even though she knows the doctors have said Laura has an eating disorder. In the past few years, my daughter has worked hard to help Laura, and now Laura is down to 140 pounds. How can they get her mother on board to help Laura and stop giving her all this stuff that makes her so sick?

    — LOOKING ON IN OHIO

    DEAR LOOKING ON: Laura’s mother appears to have mental problems, which may be why her visitations are limited. Although feeding her daughter junk food may be the way she tries to show love, preventing her from losing the weight she needs to in order to be healthy is dangerous. Your son needs to explain what’s going on to Laura’s doctors and to the judge who decided how long and how often Laura’s mother is allowed to see her. A solution might be that those visits must be SUPERVISED. Please suggest this.

    ** ** **

    DEAR ABBY: I’ve hosted a live podcast for years. It’s my creative outlet, my therapy. Recently, my wife gave me an ultimatum. I am not allowed to host the podcast anymore, or she’ll divorce me. She says it’s for “us,” not her. Her reason is mostly because I preach atheism as well as discuss many other topics.

    She’s a Christian. I was a Christian when we met and married, but I am no longer. I want to respect her faith, but I feel this is too much for her to ask. My show is a piece of what I want to share and document with the world. It’s only a few hours’ commitment a week, and I don’t do much else as far as recreation or hobbies. I am employed and responsible, and I fulfill all my duties as a husband.

    I’m terrified of losing either the show or my marriage. Is this a fair thing for my wife to demand? I have chosen to stop hosting the show for now, and I’m unhappy. I’d like my wife’s blessing so I can continue. Is there anything you would recommend?

    — HOST IN EXILE

    DEAR HOST: I don’t know how far away in exile you are, but if you live within the borders of the United States, there is a certain amount of freedom of speech here. Living according to your wife’s dictate leaves you frustrated and unhappy. You have the right to express yourself, and you have an audience who appreciates it. If she chooses to divorce you over this, you may find it’s a relief. Call her bluff. If you do, you may discover you are happier following your own path rather than hers.

  • WNBA and players union extend CBA deadline to Jan. 9

    WNBA and players union extend CBA deadline to Jan. 9

    NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA and players union agreed to an extension of the current collective bargaining agreement to Jan. 9 just before their current deadline ran out Sunday night.

    Just like the previous extension, both sides have the option to terminate the extension with 48 hours advanced notice.

    The two sides had announced a 30-day extension to the original Oct. 31 deadline. That extension was set to expire Sunday night just before midnight. They met over the holiday weekend hoping to come an agreement.

    With nothing urgent on the immediate horizon except for the expansion draft for Portland and Toronto, it would be unlikely that either side would exercise terminate the extension.

    Last season’s expansion draft for Golden State was held in December.

    Free agency would be the next big thing for both sides to deal. That usually is done in late January. This is an unprecedented offseason with all but two of the league’s veterans free agents. Players signed one-year deals last season knowing there would be huge salary bumps when a new CBA is agreed upon.

    When the previous CBA deal expired in 2019, both sides agreed upon a 60-day extension and a new one was eventually ratified in January 2020.

  • Chargers QB Justin Herbert breaks bone in non-throwing hand vs. Raiders; status for Eagles game uncertain

    Chargers QB Justin Herbert breaks bone in non-throwing hand vs. Raiders; status for Eagles game uncertain

    Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert broke a bone in his left, non-throwing hand and will undergo a procedure on Monday, coach Jim Harbaugh said after Sunday’s 31-14 home win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

    Herbert was injured in the first quarter on a 1-yard scramble, then threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston on the next play for a 7-0 lead after the Chargers’ first possession.

    Trey Lance replaced Herbert for eight plays before the starter returned to finish the game. Herbert was 15 of 20 for 151 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Lance completed his lone pass for 9 yards. Herbert, 27, also rushed three times for 8 yards.

    Harbaugh was uncertain if Herbert will miss any games. Herbert wore a glove on his left hand and what appeared to be a splint on his middle fingers after re- entering the game.

    “I know that he’s as tough as they come,” Harbaugh said. “You know, taped it up, (wore a) glove and played a great game.”

    The Chargers (8-4) host the Eagles (8-4) in Week 14 with Herbert having an extra day to recover as the game is next Monday night.

    “I’m treating it as if I’m playing on Monday,” Herbert said. “I think they’re very hopeful for that. So, I think that’s just something that we’ll see tomorrow and get a feel for.”

  • Sixers takeaways: Joel Embiid’s motivated play, Tyrese Maxey’s missed free throws and more in loss to Hawks

    Sixers takeaways: Joel Embiid’s motivated play, Tyrese Maxey’s missed free throws and more in loss to Hawks

    Joel Embiid was motivated in his first game in 22 days.

    Just when you thought the 76ers needed more from Tyrese Maxey, the point guard showed why he’s been one of the NBA’s best players in the early season. But his missed free throws in overtime and his team’s lack of rebounding in double overtime were costly.

    Ten days of rest were good for VJ Edgecombe’s body.

    And Atlanta Hawks coach Quin Snyder is a big fan of Dominick Barlow.

    Those things stood out Sunday night in the Sixers’ 142-134 double-overtime loss to the Hawks at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    Embiid motivated

    Embiid usually looks rusty in his first game back from injury.

    That was far from the case after he missed the past nine games. This time, he looked good physically and was aggressive.

    The 7-foot-2, 280-pounder put his imprint on the game from the start, scoring the first basket 35 seconds into the contest. He later assisted on a Barlow layup that gave the Sixers a 7-4 advantage. Then Embiid added two points on a pair of foul shots to extend the Sixers’ early lead to five points.

    Embiid scored those points and had that assist along with a rebound while logging 6 minutes, 1 second in the first quarter. He finished with 18 points on 6-for-14 shooting along with four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and a block in a season-high 30 minutes.

    “So tonight, obviously, I thought the first half was pretty good,” he said. “Moved really well. And we missed almost a month, and you only had two court sessions, going up and down, it’s going to be tough.”

    Embiid added that Sunday’s game felt like facing the Boston Celtics in the season opener at TD Garden on Oct. 22. He was rusty that night.

    But the 2023 MVP gradually improved. He had 20 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in 20 minutes when the Sixers (now 10-9) faced the Celtics a second time on Oct. 31. And Embiid had his best game of the season while finishing with 29 points, six rebounds and four assists in a 130-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 8. That marked the last game he played in before Sunday.

    The Sixers’ season has 2024-25 vibes with Joel Embiid and Paul George missing substantial time

    “You build on it, and I’m not even mad about tonight,” Embiid said. “I’m just happy that I got a chance to play the game of basketball, build on it, and go from there. Next game, whether shots fall or not, I don’t really judge myself based on if shots fall or not. It’s all about how I move laterally, jumping, and all that stuff. Tonight was a good start towards that.

    “I felt good in the first half. Obviously, the second half was a little rough. I should build on what the first half looked like and go from there.”

    After intermission, Embiid had seven points on 2-for-8 shooting. He failed to score in the first overtime and didn’t play in the second.

    Embiid could have been more involved as a rebounder. He’s still rarely jumping on defense, and his lateral movement isn’t what it used to be. But effort-wise, this was one of his best first games back after an extended break.

    Sixers center Joel Embiid gets fouled by Atlanta’s Luke Kennard.

    He sat out the Sixers’ previous eight games because of right knee injury management or soreness. Before that, Embiid missed the Sixers’ 111-108 home loss to the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 9 because he doesn’t play on back-to-back nights to rest his left knee. The former league MVP has already missed 12 of the Sixers’ 18 games because of his knee ailments.

    More needed from Maxey until …

    Quentin Grimes showed why he’s a legitimate candidate to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. He finished with 28 points on 8-for-15 shooting, including making 4 of 8 three-pointers, to go with 10 rebounds and four assists. Grimes also made all eight of his free throws.

    But for a while, his performance couldn’t make up for what was trending to be the worst night of the season for Maxey.

    The Hawks’ primary defenders did a solid job of defending the standout point guard.

    He still managed to finish with a game-high 44 points on 14-of-31 shooting, though. That included missing 11 of his 13 three-point attempts. Maxey did make 14 of 17 foul shots to go with seven rebounds and nine assists.

    But Maxey had just 20 points on 4-for-12 shooting — including making just 1 of 7 threes through three quarters.

    Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey reacts late in the second overtime against the Atlanta Hawks.

    Give Maxey credit. He kept battling and scored 12 points in the fourth quarter on 4-for-9 shooting. His three-point play pulled the Sixers within three points (108-105) with 3:11 left.

    Then Maxey drained a three-pointer with 8.8 seconds left to knot the score at 115, forcing overtime.

    Maxey went on to score four points in the extra session. However, he missed a pair of foul shots that would have given the Sixers a four-point cushion with 4.6 remaining.

    “I thought I was going to make them, and we’ll figure it out after that,” he said of what was going through his mind at the foul line. “But it’s like what I get for messing with VJ.”

    Maxey was referring to playfully ribbing Edgecombe for missing a pair of foul shots with the Sixers up 117-116 with 8.5 seconds left in the season-opening victory. Luckily for them, that night neither team scored another point.

    After the Hawks (13-8) forced another overtime on Sunday, Maxey scored all eight of his team’s points. However, with Embiid and reserve center Andre Drummond (who played just six minutes) out of the game, the Sixers’ small-ball lineup struggled on the boards.

    The Hawks won the rebounding game 7-2 in overtime, which enabled them to score seven second-chance points.

    But those missed foul shots are something Maxey won’t soon forget. At the same time, he had to be exhausted, logging 52:16.

    Maxey is averaging a league-leading 40.7 minutes while ranking third in scoring at 32.3 points. He’s been forced to carry the Sixers with Embiid and Paul George (16 points, seven rebounds, game-high five steals) both missing a lot of games with injuries.

    Embiid was asked if Maxey’s standout play has added any extra urgency.

    “I do feel bad,” Embiid said. “Obviously, the minutes that he has to play, the load that he has to handle. I’ve been there. I know how it feels. You’ve just got to trust in what you’re doing, and in God, and be OK with the fact that whatever happens, happens.”

    Well-rested rookie

    Edgecombe was back in the starting lineup after missing the past three games with a left calf strain. The rookie shooting guard finished with seven points on 3-for-6 shooting, along with two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 21:25.

    But the biggest takeaway was that he played with his trademark bounce and explosion that had been missing in a few games leading up to his injury. Back then, the 20-year-old looked fatigued from what had been an overwhelming amount of games to start the season.

    Barlow’s admiration

    On July 30, 2024, Barlow signed a two-way contract with the Atlanta Hawks. While he was only with the Hawks for one season, it’s evident that the power forward left a lasting impression on Snyder.

    “He really knows how to play,” Sndyer said. “And he gave us, in a stretch where we really needed someone to come in and not only give us good minutes, but kind of connect as a team. And I think it’s unusual for a player in [a two-way] position to have that kind of impact on the group.

    “So I’m really happy to see him doing well. And I’m not surprised. … He’s got a great feel for the game, can pass, handle, just a smart player. Very committed to helping the team in any way he can.”

    Sixers forward Dominick Barlow dribbles as he is guarded by Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels.

    Barlow averaged 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 35 games with four starts last season for the Hawks. He had his two-way contract converted to a standard deal on March 4.

    However, Barlow left the Hawks in the offseason after they fired former general manager Landry Fields. Betting on himself, he signed a two-way deal with the Sixers on July 9. And he’s been one of their most impactful players.

    The 6-9, 215-pounder made his seventh start of the season on Sunday. He finished with 10 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks. The 22-year-old came into the game averaging career highs of 7.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.1 steals through nine games.

  • A woman dies after being shot by police in Hunting Park

    A woman dies after being shot by police in Hunting Park

    A woman who waved a gun at officers died after being shot by police early Sunday in Hunting Park, officials said.

    Patrol officers responded to reports of a person with a gun on the 900 block of West Erie Avenue shortly after 4 a.m. The officers said they encountered a 35-year-old woman holding a handgun to the right side of her head.

    Police say the distraught woman ignored repeated commands to drop her weapon and seemed unaffected by an officer’s Taser. The woman fled across Erie Avenue, pointing her gun in the direction of two 25th District officers who opened fire, striking her three times, police said.

    Police transported the wounded woman to Temple University Hospital.

    The woman was pronounced dead at 4:42 p.m., police announced Sunday evening. Police said they would release her name after her family was notified.

    At the scene, investigators said they discovered a .22-caliber handgun that had an obliterated serial number, with one round in the chamber and 19 more in the gun’s magazine.

    The woman had been charged with aggravated assault on police.

    Body-worn cameras captured the incident, police said. Per department policy, the officers who fired their weapons — both have been on the force for less than three years — have been placed on desk duty pending an investigation.

    The case is being investigated by the department’s Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation Unit, Internal Affairs Bureau, and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

    Staff writer Andrew Kitchenman contributed to this article.

  • Real Christmas tree supply is ‘excellent’ this year after several years of shortages

    Real Christmas tree supply is ‘excellent’ this year after several years of shortages

    It’s shaping up to be a tree-mendous year for anyone planning to bring home a real Christmas tree, according to industry experts tracking supply and prices.

    “It’s probably the best supply of real trees in at least a decade,” said Marsha Gray, president of the Real Christmas Tree Board, a research and promotional group.

    A national survey of tree farmers — including many in Pennsylvania — found that prices are expected to hold steady or even dip, thanks to an unusually strong supply. The survey, conducted in August, polled wholesale growers responsible for roughly two-thirds of all Christmas trees sold in the United States. A hearty 84% said they don’t plan to raise prices, with some even expecting to trim them.

    It’s welcome news after several seasons when shortages and inflation drove up costs.

    Pennsylvania alone has more than 1,400 tree farms covering over 31,000 acres, according to state statistics.

    Still, most trees sold in the Northeast come from Canada, and those evergreens remain exempt from tariffs, which has also helped keep costs down this year.

    For artificial tree makers, meanwhile, the outlook is less merry and bright. Nearly all artificial trees are manufactured overseas, particularly in China, and have been hit with tariffs that are pushing prices upward. An artificial tree seller in California told NPR he anticipates a 10-15% price hike for consumers due to customs costs, even though manufacturing expenses have stayed steady.

    Growing Christmas trees is a long-haul endeavor — it takes about 10 years for a tree to reach full size. That means today’s growers have to guess what demand might look like in 2035 while tending the evergreens that will be ready in 2029 and 2030. Their work involves pruning and pest management — the parts they can control — as well as coping with unpredictable challenges like climate shifts and surprise deep freezes.

    Drought mostly affects younger saplings and typically spares mature trees, so even though 2025 has been dry in many regions, that hasn’t been a factor on the firs for sale, Gray said.

    Gray said growers saw this abundant year coming: “It’s a multiyear process, so we can see what’s coming up and this is the story of the season — excellent supply.”

    In recent years, headlines highlighted shortages. Gray notes there were always enough trees to go around, but during lower-supply years, shoppers might have found that the most convenient lot sold out early or that cut-your-own farms wrapped up the season weeks before Christmas.

    “It does go in waves. We have little peaks and valleys,” she said. “And we’re in a peak right now.”