Reigning MVP Joel Embiid put up an insane statline for the Philadelphia 76ers in his first duel with San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama.
Embiid dominated and dropped a career-high 70 points for Philly in a 133-123 home victory. Joel shot 24-of-41 from the field and had 18 rebounds and five assists.
The 70 points are a new franchise record for the 76ers.
Embiid broke Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain's previous Philadelphia record of 68 points, set on December 16, 1967.70 PTS | 18 REB | 5 AST
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 23, 2024
witnessed history tonight. @PALottery pic.twitter.com/rtLjM0GeuO
Check out Embiid's record-breaking basket.AN HISTORIC 70-POINT NIGHT FOR JOEL EMBIID 👏
— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2024
? 76ers franchise record
? 9th player in NBA history to score 70+
? A new career high
70 PTS, 18 REB, 24/41 FGM, 21/23 FTM pic.twitter.com/gDKY2E9bVA
He became the ninth player in NBA history to record 70+ points along with Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, David Thompson, Damian Lillard, Elgin Baylor, David Robinson, Donovan Mitchell, and Devin Booker.The bucket for 70 on the #PhantomCam 👀 https://t.co/2znkwtF5Q3 pic.twitter.com/HqQlkug34O
— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2024
List of players to record 70+ points in a game:
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) January 23, 2024
Wilt Chamberlain - 100 - 3/2/1962
Kobe Bryant - 81 - 1/22/2006
Wilt Chamberlain - 78 - 12/08/1961
David Thompson - 73 - 4/9/1978
Wilt Chamberlain - 73 - 11/16/1962
Wilt Chamberlain - 73 - 1/13/1962
Wilt Chamberlain - 72 -… https://t.co/SryJkk4ZPd
Tyrese Maxey took a step back as Embiid took over, but he still ended up scoring 18 points in the win. Tobias Harris, meanwhile, racked up 14 markers.
Wembanyama put up a fight in his first go-around with Embiid, finishing with 33 points on 10-of-19 shooting, seven boards, and one monster block.
Devin Vasell and Doug McDermott notched 22 and 13 points, respectively, for the Spurs in a losing effort.
What he said
Star guard Maxey showed respect to the possibly his best teammate ever, or better yet, the best Sixer to ever play the game.
“We cannot take this for granted. Not just as teammates, not as an organization, but as fans, even if you’re not a fan of Philadelphia. You’re just a fan of basketball. Can’t take Jo for granted, man. What he’s doing right now is special.”
They celebrated the best way they know how, throwing water on Embiid just to literally cool him off from his hot performance:Tyrese Maxey:
— PHLY Sixers (@PHLY_Sixers) January 23, 2024
“We cannot take this for granted. Not just as teammates, not as an organization, but as fans, even if you’re not a fan of Philadelphia. You’re just a fan of basketball. Can’t take Jo for granted, man. What he’s doing right now is special.” pic.twitter.com/5RfLXuBg2T
had to cool this man off! 🥵 pic.twitter.com/figbmPftuk
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 23, 2024
With the victory, the Sixers improved their standing to 29-13, remaining No. 3 in the competitive Eastern Conference.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
