RIO DE JANEIRO -- Matt Fuerbringer watches intently during warmups, first with hands on hips before he briefly crosses his arms then immediately moves them behind his back. After that, its a thumbs-up to four-time Olympian Reid Priddy and a high-five with David Lee.A quick hug and handshake for technical coordinator Nate Ngo.The top assistant mens volleyball coach for the U.S. team adjusts his headset well before the first ball is struck, then is right in the huddle during timeouts and hollering from the bench, fingers clasped around a clipboard.This is the Olympics Fuerbringer never had as a player. He came close to making the beach team for London four years ago.I do miss playing, yeah, I miss it a lot. But this is a different type of love, its a different type of impact, he said. Its really fun that these guys let me be on the journey with them.A former standout player both indoors and on sand, the 42-year-old Fuerbringer has been the reliable right-hand man for John Speraw as he balances dual coaching roles with the national team and UCLA.The U.S. lost a thrilling five-set semifinal to Italy on Friday, the Americans four-game winning streak snapped since a loss to Italy in the second match of pool play. They will play Sunday morning for bronze.Fuerbringer is the brainchild behind their blocking defense.Speraw also so appreciates Fuerbringers strength developing strong relationships with the players.Thats a really important role for an assistant coach but particularly in this situation when Im managing two programs, Speraw said.It was Fuerbringer who first texted setter Micah Christenson with an invite into the U.S. gym when another body was needed for training.Hes definitely the most relatable in the volleyball sense. He has a great mind for volleyball. We really respect what he says, Christenson said. Hes doing all of that dirty work.While he is enjoying being part of the indoor teams run in Rio, Fuerbringer still couldnt wait to steal away to Copacabana beach and root for his old beach volleyball partner, Nick Lucena.He got a thrill watching Lucena on the sand alongside Phil Dalhausser before they were eliminated in Mondays quarterfinals, and they hung out Sunday.For the indoor team, not only is Fuerbringer the eyes for Speraw as needed, he makes at least one trip each winter to check up on the American players abroad with their professional club teams.Of the whole staff, hes the one whos kind of been there and done that, Ngo said. He played on the indoor national team and had an awesome career on the beach, so his ability to relate to the guys and know what theyre going through in a big moment, hes been in those situations.Lee counts on Fuerbringer to discuss ideas and strategy in the middle of matches, during training or off the court.When the Americans dropped their first two games in Brazil, Fuerbringer and the staff stressed the basics: Get back to just focusing on effort and not the results.Its great to have a guy whos competed at the highest level and knows what were going through, and he obviously brings a big impact to our blocking defense, Lee said. So that means I have a lot of discussions with him. Hes always there for me to figure out what to do on the next play.Fuerbringer said everyone on staff has helped in key moments during this Rio run.Just like the 12th man on the roster is part of the team, the last coach on the rosters part of the team, Fuerbringer said. 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Haas said he "felt a lot of pain" in his right shoulder when he slammed his racket to the ground in frustration after losing his serve at 3-3 in the first set. PHILADELPHIA -- After helping the Philadelphia 76ers build an eight-point lead down the stretch, Jahlil Okafor could only watch from the bench as the lead dwindled.Okafor scored 19 points on 8-for-11 shooting before fouling out with 2:56 left and Richaun Holmes made a key 3-pointer with just over a minute remaining to help the 76ers beat the injury-plagued Washington Wizards 109-102 Wednesday night.Okafor went to the bench with the Sixers holding a 101-93 lead. Washington then made a run, pulling to 103-100 with 1:29 to play.However, after a timeout, Holmes made a 3-pointer from just in front of the Wizards bench to extend the lead to six points with 1:10 remaining.That was big, Okafor said. I was excited. I know how hard he works every day, so for it to go in for him and for the team, it was a big win for us.Holmes added: I tried to get out there as fast as I could and get ready to shoot the ball. Weve talked about picking my spots and that was pretty good spot to pick.Ersan Ilyasova had 16 points, Nik Stauskas scored 15 points, and Gerald Henderson 14 to help the 76ers win for just the second time in 11 games this season. Dario Saric added 13 points and 12 rebounds.The 76ers were without leading-scorer Joel Embiid, the third pick overall in the 2014 NBA draft, who has been brought along slowly after missing two seasons because of two foot surgeries.Were scratching and clawing for wins, 76ers coach Brett Brown said. I think theres something to be said for being able to get a win without Joel, and (Okafor) was a major contributor.The Wizards, who were held to just one basket in their final three possessions, fell to 2-8.John Wall scored 23 of his 27 points in the second half and Markieff Morris had 19 points for the Wizards, who were without second-leading scorer Bradley Beal.Otto Porter Jr. had 15 points and 13 rebounds, Marcin Gortat added 10 points and 14 boards, and Marcus Thornton also scored 10.Were too good to be losing, Morris said. No disrespect to the Sixers or any other team we lost to. The coach should never have to coach effort, especially when youre 2-7.Morris was referring to coach Scott Brooks, who said his team came ouut too slow against the team with the NBAs worst record.ddddddddddddThe Sixers opened the game with an 11-4 run, thanks in part to Ilyasovas eight points in the opening quarter. The Wizards responded by scoring the next six points, but the Sixers went on an 11-2 run to end the first quarter with a 29-15 lead.Wall, meanwhile, saw just 7:28 in the first half and managed just four points on 1-for-4 shooting.I was frustrated, basically the whole first half, only playing 7 minutes, said Wall, who is also on minutes restriction after having surgery on both knees in the offseason. The game starts getting closer and its frustrating not being out there to help my guys win the game.TIP-INSWizards: Beal sat out his third straight game with a right thigh injury and is questionable for Thursday nights game against the Knicks. Every day he is feeling a little better, Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. We just want to be cautious about it. Sheldon McClellan started his second game in a row in place of Beal, while Marcus Thornton came off the bench.76ers: With the Sixers visiting Minnesota on Thursday night, Embiid, who is leading the team with 18.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks, sat out his fourth game of the season. Embiid, who last played on Monday against Houston, is expected to be limited to 24 minutes through Christmas. I follow the instruction (of our medical staff), Sixers coach Brett Brown said. Its really that simple. Its completely designed to what is best for Joel Embiid.BACK-TO-BACKSOkafor played in his ninth game and has been cleared to play in Thursdays game against the Timbervolves, although he is likely to haveminutes restrictions.WAITING ON MAHINMIIan Mahinmi, sidelined since undergoing left knee surgery on Oct. 15, could be back on the practice court for the Wizards next week, according to Brooks. He was expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks but appears to be ahead of schedule.UP NEXTWizards: Host New York on Thursday night.76ers: At Minnesota on Thursday night as they try to end a 20-game road losing streak. ' ' '