76ers' Joel Embiid joins HOF list in win over Timberwolves
The NBA's reigning MVP, Joel Embiid, hasn't rested on his laurels this season, continuing a dominant stretch Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves by joining a list of basketball royalty.
In the Sixers' 127-113 victory, Embiid became only the fifth player to post a streak of 12 games finishing with 30 or more points and 10-plus rebounds. The other four on that list are all Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor and Walt Bellamy.
Embiid was a force against the Western Conference leader, ending the night with a game-high 51 points and 12 rebounds. It's his seventh career game of at least 50 points and 10 rebounds. Only Giannis Antetokounmpo (8), James Harden, Michael Jordan, Abdul-Jabbar, Baylor (16) and Chamberlain (118) have more, per Statmuse.
If that wasn't enough history, the Sixers center extended his franchise streak of 30-point games to 13 while recording his fifth straight game of 35 points or more, matching the franchise mark shared by Chamberlain (1965) and another Hall of Famer, Allen Iverson (1997).
Embiid is only the ninth player to score 30 points in 13 straight games, joining Chamberlain (six), Baylor (twice), Abdul-Jabbar, Harden, Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, Moses Malone and Oscar Robertson.
The league MVP seemingly improving should concern the rest of the Eastern Conference, but so should his running mate, point guard Tyrese Maxey. Following the team's messy divorce with James Harden, he's filled the starting role better than the Sixers could have hoped for. On Wednesday night, he complimented Embiid beautifully, recording 35 points, including five three-pointers, to go along with a team-best five assists.
Despite a slight hiccup against the Chicago Bulls, the Sixers are rolling behind Embiid and Maxey. They improved to 19-8 with Wednesday's win over the T-Wolves and have now won seven of their last eight games.
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