Sports News Roundup: Injury issues lingering as 76ers face Rockets; Lakers, Hornets meet, each with an eye toward 2024; Bucks escape from New York for meeting with Cavs and more

The Coyotes head into their road game Friday with the Anaheim Ducks after gaining even more respect following Arizona's incredible comeback victory over the division-leading Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. Lakers, Hornets meet, each with an eye toward 2024 A pair of teams anxious to move on to a new calendar year will meet Thursday when the Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Charlotte Hornets.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Injury issues lingering as 76ers face Rockets

As the NBA's leading scorer in pursuit of a third consecutive scoring title, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is such a force that his absence causes reverberations throughout the team's rotation. After going 0-4 this season when Embiid was not available, the 76ers managed to pull off a 112-92 road victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday as Embiid sat out a second consecutive game with an ankle injury.

Blues look to stay hot vs. Avalanche

Like Western Conference rivals Edmonton and Minnesota, the St. Louis Blues became revitalized by their coaching change. The Blues are 5-1 since general manager Doug Armstrong fired coach Craig Berube and promoted Drew Bannister from his AHL post to interim coach. They will try to sustain that newfound momentum Friday when they host the Colorado Avalanche at Enterprise Center.

Coyotes look to carry momentum into matchup vs. Ducks

Nearing the midpoint of the season, the Arizona Coyotes are still perceived by many as a surprise squad, holding the Western Conference's top wild-card spot despite playing in a powerful Central Division. The Coyotes head into their road game Friday with the Anaheim Ducks after gaining even more respect following Arizona's incredible comeback victory over the division-leading Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday.

Lakers, Hornets meet, each with an eye toward 2024

A pair of teams anxious to move on to a new calendar year will meet Thursday when the Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Charlotte Hornets. The Lakers enter the contest with six defeats in their past eight games, while the Hornets take the court on a season-long eight-game losing streak.

Bucks escape from New York for meeting with Cavs

Following three consecutive games in New York, the Milwaukee Bucks' road trip continues as they face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. Milwaukee came out of its week in New York with a 2-1 record after taking down the Brooklyn Nets 144-122 on Wednesday.

Capitals, Islanders face off after disheartening losses

It took just one game after the Christmas break for the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals to reduce their margin for error in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race. The Islanders and Capitals will each look to bounce back from discouraging losses when New York hosts Washington on Friday in a battle of longtime division rivals in Elmont, N.Y.

K'Andre Miller, Rangers roll into Florida to face Panthers

Defenseman K'Andre Miller is hitting his stride as the New York Rangers, who lead the Eastern Conference with 49 points, visit the Florida Panthers on Friday night in Sunrise, Fla. Miller, New York's first-round pick in 2018, is coming off his highest-scoring game of the season: two goals and three points in a 5-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.

Down 21, Celtics rally to deal Pistons their 28th straight loss

The Boston Celtics overcame a 21-point deficit and raised their home record to 15-0 by beating the Detroit Pistons 128-122 in overtime Thursday night. The Pistons also made dubious NBA history, losing for the 28th straight time, the longest in-season losing streak in league history. If they fall on Saturday vs. the visiting Toronto Raptors, they would tie the longest skid of all time, including from one season to the next.

Tennis-Nadal plays down title expectations ahead of Brisbane comeback

Rafa Nadal said it is still "impossible" for him to think about winning tournaments as he prepares for his much-awaited comeback at the Brisbane International after spending almost a year on the sidelines with a hip injury. The 22-times Grand Slam champion, who is gearing up for next month's Australian Open, sustained the problem during his second round defeat at Melbourne Park in January and did not compete again last season after having surgery in June.

Devils want to be more than comeback kings, battle Senators

The New Jersey Devils are among the best teams in the NHL at producing comeback wins -- and it is a topic coach Lindy Ruff is tired of hearing about. Coming off a second straight comeback, Ruff is hoping to see his team get off to a quicker start Friday night when the Devils visit the Ottawa Senators.

(With inputs from agencies.)