Joel Embiid was too much for the Rockets.
Returning from a three-game absence, the Cameroon-born center posted 41 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a win over Houston on Tuesday (PHL).
By halftime, he already had 26 points, which led to a comfortable lead for the Sixers to start the second half. It only took three quarters for the big man to hit the 30-point threshold, shooting 12 of 21 field goals, while sinking 16 of his 17 freebies at the line.
He even got KD to react.
This match marked Embiid’s 17th straight game with at least 30 points.All joel need is 3 quarters. Thats funny
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) January 15, 2024
With 41 points and 10 rebounds, Embiid became the third player NBA history to tally 16 consecutive games of 30+ points and 10+ rebounds in a season.17 straight games with 30+ points for Embiid 🗣? pic.twitter.com/iHn4jXKTDJ
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 15, 2024
Joel Embiid delivered a stellar performance in his return to the lineup 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) January 15, 2024
41 PTS / 10 REB / 57% FG / W
?? He becomes the third player in NBA history to record 16+ consecutive games of 30+ points and 10+ rebounds in a single season pic.twitter.com/QgIDPhSc0V
Tyrese Maxey also chipped in 27 points and seven assists in the win on MLK Day, while Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun dropped 20 and 19 points, respectively, in a losing effort for Houston.
With the win, the Sixers improved to 25-13, staying put at No. 3 in the East. Meanwhile, the Rockets (19-20) dropped just outside the Play-In race in the West.
What he said
After returning from a left knee inflammation, the Sixers are focused on keeping their reigning MVP active for the rest of the season.
"It doesn’t matter how many games I play, the goal is to be healthy the rest of the year," Embiid said.
The new collective bargaining agreement requires players to compete in 65 regular season games to become eligible for awards. Embiid can only miss eight more games of the final 44 before he is no longer eligible for the MVP award.
He's not too bothered though.
"I’ve already done it," Embiid said. "If I have a chance to get a second one, I’ll do it. I’m not going to force myself or push for it."
"We’ve got to keep winning and you put in the stats to be in the conversation, that’s great, too. But at the end of the day, if there’s something going on, and I can’t meet the requirement for the amount of games played to qualify for that, then so be it."
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report
