Joel Embiid's career high keeps 76ers alive in series vs. Knicks
Down 2-0, Joel Embiid insisted his 76ers were still winning their series against the Knicks. He backed it up in Game 3.
The reigning NBA MVP shattered his previous playoff high with 50 points on an incredibly shooting night where he shot 5-for-7 from three-point range and 13-for-19 overall.
Philadelphia cut the series lead to 2-1 with a 125-114 win over the New York Knicks.
He almost didn’t stay in the game. Embiid delivered an incredibly dirty foul in the third quarter, pulling a leaping Mitchell Robinson down by the ankle. He also delivered a kick to the groin. Robinson left with an injury and Embiid escaped with only a flagrant-one.
Perhaps fueled by the relief of avoiding an ejection, Embiid got especially hot in the third quarter. Philadelphia scored 43 points to turn a two-point deficit into a 13-point lead. The big man hit four of his triples in the quarter and had 18 points overall.
Don’t expect the Sixers to file a grievance about the officials after this win. Embiid made 19 of his 21 free throws and Philadelphia shot 14 more freebies than New York. Opposing centers Isaiah Hartenstein and Robinson racked up eight fouls combined.
The Knicks wasted a huge game from Jalen Brunson, who bounced back from two rough shooting games to put up 39 points and hand out 13 assists. He got 12 free throws of his own with some strong moves.
While New York made nearly half their three-pointers and had their highest point total of the series, it was their defense that let them down. They stole Game 2 while Embiid scored 34, but he made sure the Knicks weren’t close enough for a miracle comeback Thursday.
Embiid’s taken flak in the past for his numbers taking a dip in the postseason. In Game 3, he shut his critics up.
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