Embiid-Made-NBA-history-by-being-the-first-player

Revised at 11:31 PM EST on January 22, 2024 / AP

 

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – On Monday night, Joel Embiid led the Philadelphia 76ers to a 133-123 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, setting a franchise record with 70 points—the most in the NBA this season.

 

 joel Embiid recorded a career-high 18 rebounds as well. He made 21 of 23 free throws and was 24 of 41 from the field, including 1 of 2 from 3-point range. With 1:41 remaining, he made a layup to surpass Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain’s 76ers record of 68 points, which was set on December 16, 1967.

When Chamberlain established the NBA record 100 points, he was a player for the Philadelphia Warriors. Embiid, the current MVP of the league and a six-time All-Star, has scored 30 points or more in 21 straight games.The 76ers have won their last six games.

 

In the first meeting between the 7-footers, rookie Victor Wembanyama finished with 33 points and seven rebounds in 29 minutes of play. The Spurs, who are rebuilding, lost 5-19 away from home.

 

Embiid claimed that facing Wembanyama each night gave him more motivation for his goal.

 

“That’s my mindset every single game, but I wouldn’t sit here and lie to you,” Embiid said in the post-game interview on the local TV broadcast. “My mindset is to attack, dominate offensively and defensively, so tonight was no different.”

 

After three quarters, Embiid had tied his career best of 59 points and returned to the game with 6:38 remaining and Philadelphia up 118-104. The 76ers were giving him the ball whenever possible as they were closing in on the record.

 

“Obviously he can score in so many ways, just his sheer size gets him a lot of stuff around the basket, gets him a lot of free throws,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse stated. “The talent component is the shooting touch. Given his physical attributes, skill level, size, and motivational style, anything is possible.”

With 64 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded the previous NBA record-setting performance.

 

When supporters gathered on the court to see the French sensation for the Spurs, Embiid, during warmups, all eyes were on him and Wembanyama before the first tip. Embiid’s abilities are already known to the home crowd, so it’s possible that the Philadelphia star wanted to make sure they remembered.

 

Before the game, Nurse remarked, “It will be interesting for all of us to see for the first time.”

 

Perhaps a better adjective would have been electrifying.Of course, it would have been more enjoyable in a victory, but even so, it’s inspirational, particularly offensively “said Wembanyama.

 

In the 1:11 mark of the game, Embiid made a 13-footer over Wembanyama. 

 

With 6:27 remaining in the first quarter, the Spurs rookie made two 3-pointers in a span of 27 seconds, followed by an alley-oop dunk, before being sent to the bench for two fouls.

 

Before the game, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich made light of the fact that his team’s strategy against Embiid was to “hammer his (butt).” I instructed Wemby to simply toss him through the rim after backing him down over it.”

 

However, it was immediately apparent that nothing would work. Embiid scored 24 points in the first quarter on 8 of 12 shots.