Joel Embiid returned to Philadelphia 76ers‘ after lacking the workforce’s final seven video games and made an instantaneous influence. He scored 31 factors and grabbed 12 rebounds in a 108 to 100 victory on the Chicago Bulls on Sunday afternoon.
Earlier than Sunday, Embiid final performed for the Sixers on November 20. a defeat of 117 to 111 At Memphis Grizzliesthe middle scored 35 factors with 11 rebounds in 33 minutes. Philadelphia went 4–3 throughout Embiid’s final absence on account of left knee administration and private causes.
Embiid was listed as uncertain earlier than Sunday’s match. He was solely deemed able to play after finishing pre-match warm-ups. Maybe shaking off some rust, Embiid missed his first six pictures from the ground and regarded sluggish. The Bulls held a 33-23 lead after the primary 12 minutes.
Apparently, Embiid wanted to heat up and quiet down. He scored 19 factors within the second quarter, taking pictures 7 of 11, and grabbed six rebounds. Maybe extra importantly, the middle’s presence within the paint offered much-needed inside protection. He completed the day with two blocks.
Embiid’s paint protection in the present day was unbelievable.
It is arduous to win a recreation the place the opposite workforce makes 10 extra threes than you, however the Sixers dominated contained in the arc, thanks largely to Joel. pic.twitter.com/1486T3Jd6Z
-Dan Olinger (@dan_olinger) December 8, 2024
In 5 video games this season, Embiid is averaging 22 factors, 8.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. Sunday was a uncommon matchup during which Philly’s “Large Three” Embiid, Tyrese Maxey And Paul Georges performed collectively at the beginning of the 2024-25 season.
Maxey had a triple-double for the Sixers, scoring 25 factors with 11 rebounds and 14 assists. George and Kelly Oubre Jr. every added 12 factors. Oubre additionally pulled down 10 rebounds, whereas George grabbed seven. Jared McCain offered 11 factors, 4 assists and three steals off the bench.
Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 30 factors, taking pictures 6 of 14 on 3-pointers. Nikola Vučević And Coby White every scored 13 factors, whereas Ayo Dosunmu added 10. Josh Giddey dished out 10 assists for Chicago, which fell to 10-15 with the loss.
The 76ers received their second straight recreation, giving them victories in 4 of their final 5 video games. This takes them out of the Japanese Convention cellar. At 7-15, Philadelphia is at the moment twelfth within the East. The Sixers have 4 days off for damage administration. Their subsequent match is not till Friday, after they host Indiana Pacers (10-14).
