Joel Embiid has made history, scoring a Philadelphia 76ers franchise record and new career-high 70 points.
Embiid and Victor Wembanyama’s first ever showdown in Philadelphia’s 133-123 win over San Antonio lived up the hype and then some, though not necessarily for the contest itself, but the insane performance from Embiid.
The reigning MVP finished with 70 points – the ninth player in NBA history to record such a feat – on 24-of-41 shooting from the field, 21-of-23 from the line, plus 18 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block.
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Through three quarters, Embiid had already poured in 59 points – tying his career high – on 21-of-35 shooting form the field and 16-of-17 from the line, to go with 15 rebounds and four assists.
Checking back into the game with 6:25 left in the fourth quarter, Embiid made a pair of free throws to set a new career high with 61 points to the sound of MVP chants, before hitting consecutive jumpers to get to 65 as the home fans went nuts.
So raucous were Philly supporters over Embiid’s juggernaut performance that whenever another Sixers player attempted a shot, they booed!
It didn’t stop there, as Embiid continued to attack the San Antonio defence to eventually break Wilt Chamberlain’s previous Sixers scoring record of 68 points.
By the end of the game, it was a proper party at Wells Fargo Centre.
It marked the first time since Allen Iverson in 2005 that a Sixers player has scored 60-plus points in arguably Embiid’s most dominant individual performance ever.
Though Embiid was the star of the show, Wembanyama also came up big with 33 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
But the French phenom was outmatched on a historic night for the Sixers.
As the Philadelphia commentator pointed out, Embiid likely went into the game with extra motivation to make a statement given the incredible hype around Wembanyama amid his epic rookie season.
“There’s a part of (Embiid) that would think: ‘This dude just got here, you guys can’t stopping about him. I’ve been here for a while and I am the reigning MVP, let me show you with my play tonight’,” he said.
MORE TO COME.
ALL RESULTS
SPURS 123 76ERS 133
CAVALIERS 126 MAGIC 99
BUCKS 122 PISTONS 113
GRIZZLIES 108 RAPTORS 100
HORNETS – TIMBERWOLVES
CELTICS – MAVERICKS
BULLS – SUNS
HAWKS – KINGS
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