Joel Embiid saves Sixers with epic performance
Joel Embiid had a monster game Sunday night against the Jazz. The 76ers needed every bit of it.
That statistic actually underrates Embiid's dominant effort. Embiid had nearly 60 points, a career-high 59. Philly's center came two assists and three blocks away from the fifth quadruple-double in NBA history. Embiid shot 19-28 from the floor and 20-24 from the line - and these weren't empty stats. In the 4th quarter, Embiid scored 26 points on just eight shots from the field.
He did it on both ends, blocking five shots in the final quarter. The last one might have been the most impressive, stoning Collin Sexton on a transition layup attempt with 1:19 left to preserve a three-point Philly lead.
Embiid's conditioning has been an issue this season after a summer spent dealing with plantar fasciitis. But on that play, he showed stunning athleticism in his 36th minute of play.
If Embiid can keep playing like this, Philadelphia can survive through James Harden's month-long absence. It just might take a historic level of dominance.
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