Joel Embiid assessed Victor Wembanyama ahead of their initial encounter, sizing up the emerging San Antonio Spurs rookie. He proceeded to create an unforgettable "welcome-to-the-NBA" moment, courtesy of the current MVP.
Embiid showcased an exceptional performance in the paint during a memorable Monday night, guiding the Philadelphia 76ers to a 133-123 victory with a remarkable stat line of a career-high 70 points, 18 rebounds, and five assists, leaving the Spurs' defense unable to contain him. Facing Wembanyama provided an extra layer of motivation for him each night. “I wouldn’t sit here and lie to you, but that’s my mindset every single game,” Embiid said afterward on the local TV broadcast. “My mindset is to attack, dominate offensively and defensively, so tonight was no different.”
Establishing a new record for the 76ers and surpassing Wilt Chamberlain in the process, he achieved this feat by going 24 of 41 from the field and 21 of 23 from the free-throw line, with a lone made 3-pointer on two attempts contributing to this historic milestone.
On the very night when Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 62 points in a Minnesota Timberwolves defeat against the Charlotte Hornets, Joel Embiid's standout performance created a rare NBA moment, marking the fourth occurrence in history where two players scored 60-plus points on the same day and the first since 1978.
Regardless of whether it was Wembanyama, backup Zach Collins, or any combination of double or triple teams that the Spurs attempted, San Antonio found no solutions to counter Joel Embiid's dominant playstyle. The 76ers All-Star established control in the first half, amassing 34 points and 10 rebounds while effortlessly outplaying his defenders in the post.
Managed to increase his momentum in the third quarter, achieving his eighth career 50-point game with over four minutes remaining. By the end of the quarter, Embiid had equaled a career-high of 59 points and secured 15 rebounds before taking a brief rest on the bench.
The pace didn't let up in the fourth quarter, as the Spurs remained within striking distance. Embiid returned to the game with 6:38 remaining, and with Philadelphia leading 118-104, he continued to score from inside and out. His pull-up jumper marked his 65th point of the night, surpassing the NBA's previous season high of 64 set by Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Equaled Chamberlain's team record of 68 points by sinking a free throw with 1:57 remaining, and shortly after, he surpassed the record with a coast-to-coast layup, reaching his 70th point with 1:41 left on the clock.
The 76ers called a timeout, giving Embiid the opportunity to exit the game and savor the moment, surrounded by a standing ovation.
Embiid's extraordinary performance catapults him into elite company as the ninth player in NBA history to achieve the feat of scoring 70 points or more in a single game, coincidentally marking the 18th anniversary of Kobe Bryant's career-high 81-point performance.
Amidst the spectacle, Wembanyama showcased his offensive prowess with an impressive game, contributing 33 points and seven rebounds for the Spurs. However, on the defensive end, he proved no match for Embiid, who utilized his substantial 7-foot, 280-pound frame to overpower his 7-4, 209-pound counterpart. Embiid established the mood before the game with a casual encounter, gently bumping into Wembanyama during pregame warmups. Even Embiid, like nearly everyone else, couldn't help but be impressed by the physical presence of his opponent.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich playfully quipped before the game about the Spurs' strategy against Embiid, saying they planned to “hammer his (butt). I told Wemby to back him down over the rim and just throw him through the rim.”
Finding himself in another MVP race, sharing the spotlight with co-favorite Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets. Having collectively secured the league's last three MVP trophies, Embiid's exceptional performance on Monday, following a red-hot streak, positions him favorably as the NBA reaches the midpoint of the regular season.
Another standout performance against a fellow star big man, marking his second significant effort in four games. Just last Wednesday, he showcased his prowess with 41 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds, outdueling Jokić in a 126-121 victory over the Nuggets. Additionally, Monday's game extended Embiid's impressive streak to 21 consecutive games with 30 points or more, highlighting his dominance in recent weeks. However, his historic performance on Monday night surpassed anything seen from Embiid before.
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