MINNEAPOLIS -- Today's Super Bowl links look ahead to Sunday, and the pinnacle of the week featuring the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots is just more than 24 hours away.
One of the Eagles' biggest fans will be in Minneapolis to watch the Birds in Super Bowl LII. Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid told reporters Friday night that he plans to be at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.
Joel Embiid says he's going to the Super Bowl. -- Dan Gelston (@APgelston) February 3, 2018
Joel Embiid says he will be attending the Super Bowl. -- Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) February 3, 2018
Joel Embiid is going to attend the Super Bowl. -- Jessica Camerato (@JCameratoNBCS) February 3, 2018
Reminder: The Eagles are undefeated when @JoelEmbiid attends their games. https://t.co/lxJUOjCYXK -- Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) February 3, 2018
The Sixers beat the Miami Heat on Friday night, and they hit the road to face the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. They won't play again until they host the Wizards on Tuesday.
Two of the games Embiid ended this season had thrilling finishes: He was there for the Eagles' 27-24 win over the New York Giants in September on Jake Elliott's game-winning field goal, and he was also there for the Eagles' fourth-down stand against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC divisional round.
The Sixers are 25-24 this season and currently in eighth place in the NBA's Eastern Conference. Embiid entered Friday night averaging 23.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game in 38 games.
Philadelphia Eagles tales: Stories that define the people behind the helmets and headsets
There will also be another group of people in attendance who have become important to the Eagles this season. Quarterback Carson Wentz and the Eagles supplied the family of Lukas Kusters -- the "Dutch Destroyer" -- with tickets to the Super Bowl, according to ESPN's Kevin Negandhi.
Lukas Kusters Family visited Lukas at the cemetery before driving to Minneapolis. In the car ride, a pic of Lukas joined them. They're going to the #SuperBowl as Carson Wentz and the @Eagles provided the family w tixs. #dutchdestroyer @LiveLikeLukas14 pic.twitter.com/Sg1o4CUzmP -- Kevin Negandhi (@KNegandhiESPN) February 2, 2018
ESPN featured the Kusters family before the Eagles played the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football in October. Lukas was a youth football player in Delaware and Eagles fan who was diagnosed with cancer and died in June. In May, Kusters visited Wentz and the Eagles at the NovaCare Complex, and Wentz had sent him a video message after learning of his diagnosis.
This season, Wentz, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 14, wore a green bracelet bearing Kusters' nickname, "Dutch Destroyer."
Super Bowl 2018: Philadelphia Eagles know this moment won't last, so they're trying to seize it
Here's a look at the rest of the day's Super Bowl links:
Doug Pederson: From Brett Favre's 'Front Doctor' to Super Bowl coach: Demovsky [ESPN.com]
Super Bowl 2018: How Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles found 'joy' returning from brink of retirement: Gallen [PennLive]
No City Needs A Championship As Badly As Philadelphia: Paine [FiveThirtyEight]
Make no mistake, you'll know when Tom Brady is yelling at you: Princiotti [Boston Globe]
A Tamer Wing Bowl As Eagles Fans Rest Up For Super Bowl: McQuade [Deadspin]
Why does everyone hate the New England Patriots?: Lund [NBC News]
Lurie 60 minutes from elusive Super Bowl that 'dominates my life': Berman [Philly.com]
Tracing Doug Pederson's 14-year journey as a 'career backup': Wulf [The Athletic]
New England Patriots assistant coaches have run stadium stairs before every game for three years: Duffy [MassLive]
Super Bowl LII: Age is just a number for No. 12: Glauber [Newsday]
Minnetonka native Beau Allen happy Super Bowl LII has brought him home: Mizutani [Pioneer Press]
It's hard to win a Super Bowl if you've never won a Super Bowl before: Thomas [SB Nation]
Sneaky Stats That Could Decide The Super Bowl: Kacsmar [FiveThirtyEight]
10 reasons New England Patriots will win 2018 Super Bowl (and 10 they'll lose to Philadelphia Eagles): O'Malley [MassLive]
Philadelphia Eagles tales: Stories that define the people behind the helmets and headsets: Kasinitz [PennLive]
The secret to Doug Pederson's success: McLane [Philly.com]
Can't decide on a Super Bowl pick? Let these animals decide for you: Gonzalez [Los Angeles Times]
--@danieljtgallen