Joel Embiid: Reigning NBA MVP makes history as the Philadelphia 76ers thrash Chicago Bulls
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ByOli Gent
Updated 03/01/2024 at 10:36 GMT
A Joel Embiid-inspired Philadelphia 76ers recorded a huge 110-97 victory over the Chicago Bulls at the Wells Fargo Center, as the NBA's reigning MVP wrote himself into the history books. The Cameroonian became the first player to register more than 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, and did all of that while sitting out the entire fourth quarter; being rested on his return from injury.
Top 10 Plays of the Night January 2 - Morant leads the way with stunning dunk on Wemby
Joel Embiid played a starring role and wrote himself into NBA history during the Philadelphia 76ers' 110-97 victory over the Chicago Bulls at the Wells Fargo Center.
The Philly star became the first player in NBA history to register at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a game despite sitting out the whole fourth quarter, as 'The Process' set the 76ers on their way to a big victory.
Embiid, who had missed his side's holiday run of matches with an ankle issue, returned firing on all cylinders, and helped the 76ers avenge the 105-92 defeat inflicted on them three days earlier by the same opposition.
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Highlights: 76ers stomp Bulls with Embiid starring
"He was moving great. I think his conditioning was less than that,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said afterwards.
“But that's OK. I think that game was good for him to kind of recondition himself.”
Tyrese Maxey also chipped in with 21 points, five assists, and one rebound, while Tobias Harris registered eight rebounds, two assists, and 20 points to further add to the hosts' tally.
The visitors were still without their two-time All Star guard Zach LaVine, who remains on the treatment table, but even he wouldn't have been able to stop the 76ers' onslaught as they raced into a 43-18 lead after the first quarter, with all 10 of the Bulls' three-point efforts going awry.
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WATCH - Embiid creates history against the Bulls
DeMar DeRozan and Andre Drummond did what they could to make the scoreline look respectable - DeRozan added 16 points, and Drummond 11 - but they could not withstand Embiid's brilliance as the reigning MVP shone brightest.
Elsewhere, it was further disappointment for Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, who were downed once more, this time by the Memphis Grizzlies.
In a tight contest at FedExForum, Ja Morant stole the spotlight with 26-point contribution, supplemented by 10 assists and even a fourth-quarter dunk on Wembanyama, while the Frenchman led the scoring for the Spurs with 20 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks.
The moment of the match came when Morant quickly gathered pace down the right side with just over nine minutes to play, cutting inside, before dunking over the 7'4" Wembanyama to put the home side 88-70 up.
“[Morant is a] good player. Very small, so it’s hard to catch up with him.” Wembanyama said afterwards.
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Highlights: Morant wins duel with Wembanyama as Grizzlies see off Spurs
“Very fast. Just another great player that I see every night in the NBA.”
Morant said: “The moment was just like any other moment for me when somebody is guarding me.
“I don't try to dunk on people like I used to. Just get a bucket. Find a way.”
Both sides remain anchored to the foot of the Western Conference, with Memphis last in the league on average points scored (106.8), and further still, both rank at the bottom in offensive rating.
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