Philadelphia — Philadelphia 76ers Big man Joel Embiid has come a long way in his NBA career. It was only a few years ago that Embiid was allowed to play back-to-back for the first time. Fast-forward to the present and the Sixers’ star center has become one of the most dominant back-to-back performances we’ve ever seen.
Saturday night his team hawks 48 hours ago in Atlanta, Embiid had his most dominant performance of the season. He set the tone early by scoring his 14 points in the first quarter against the same Hawks his team had beaten the Sixers just two days earlier. Embiid built on that solid start in his remaining 36 minutes, finishing with his season-high 42 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks. And, perhaps most importantly, the Sixers won his 121-109 and improved to 6-7.
After that impressive performance, Embiid shared a health update with members of the media when asked why he appeared to be grabbing his shoulder during the game. I don’t know why, but there were days when I couldn’t lift my arm,” Embiid said. “When I do block shots, I really feel it. I don’t know what’s going on, but anything is possible.”
Those comments raised eyebrows across the city of Philadelphia in unison, calling into question Embiid’s position in Sunday night’s game against Xavier. utah jazz, especially since the big man also tweaked his ankle in Saturday night’s game against Atlanta. By Sunday’s tip time, however, Embiid was on the floor with his teammates and seemed ready to give everyone in attendance an immediately memorable performance.
Embiid set to work against the Jazz team, which has the league’s best defense at this point in the season. He scored his 13 points in the first quarter and another 11 in the second. He added another 9 in the 3rd quarter and went completely nucleus in the 4th as the Jazz continued to play him in mostly singles coverage.
In the final frame, the Sixers had 27 points as a team, with Embiid scoring 26 of themYes, you read that correctly. In his final 12 minutes, Embiid performed well enough to lead Philadelphia to his 105–98 victory, scoring 7/8 from the floor and 15/12 from the foul line. His final numbers against Utah saw him look like the 2000 stat line in a game set on rookie difficulty: In 37 minutes he had 59 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists and 7 blocks. .In the process, Embiid First player in NBA history 50 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks in one game. When Embiid plays like he does against Atlanta or Utah, he’s more dominant than any player in the league.
For those who like math and history, Embiid scored 101 points in about 27 hours. His 59 points, which Embiid posted Sunday night, were not only his career-high, but his highest individual point total in a game so far this season. Embiid shattered his career-high 50 points to date, and with 59 points he produced his fifth-highest points total in 76ers history. Wilt Chamberlain recorded his 68, 65 and 62 with the Sixers during his career, and Allen Iverson dropped his 60 in his 2005.
Embiid’s performance on the offensive side was impressive, but it was his tenacity on defense that truly made the performance dominant. Embiid purposefully patrolled the paint all night long. He had two critical blocks in just his last three minutes of the contest.
Embiid said after Sunday’s win, “My teammates knew who had hot hands, so I had to feed them.” , I thought I played right…we did it as a team and obviously defensively, in the end game I had to be more aggressive and they I had to try not to do that.Don’t get an easy basket.”
Embiid’s teammates praised the big shot following his historic performance.
Tyrese Maxey said, “Joel Embiid is very good at basketball.” is having a lot of fun… honestly he’s hitting his groove. Then he got sick.It ruins your wind.And now I think he’s finally got his stride.He’s really good at basketball..”
Embiid’s giant weekend comes at a crucial time for the Sixers team as it seeks to find a foothold in the competitive Eastern Conference. The team had a dominant start to the season. They are currently 7-7 and the pressure is… at least externally — Doc Rivers coach mount. With James Harden out with a foot injury, the Phillies needed Embiid to step up.
Whether back-to-back performances will catalyze further success, the 2-0 weekend has calmed the Sixers’ seas at least for the time being. It also reintroduced Embiid into his MVP conversation. After finishing as MVP runner-up, Denver Nuggets Center Nikola Jokic has been completely absent for Embiid in each of the past two seasons. Latest edition That’s about to change on NBA.com’s MVP ladder.
