It’s secure to say Joel Embiid is simply high-quality not taking part in with Aussie Ben Simmons anymore.
The Cameroonian famous person has erupted for not solely one of many performances of the season however one of many best particular person performances in NBA historical past.
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Embiid completed the Philadelphia 76ers’ 105-98 win over the excessive flying Utah Jazz with an astonishing 59 factors, 11 rebounds, eight assists and 7 blocks, numbers the sport have by no means seen earlier than.
No participant has ever had 50 factors, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks in a recreation earlier than.
He’s additionally the primary participant with 55 factors and 5 blocks since blocks have been tracked, beginning in 1973.
It’s additionally the primary time somebody has had as many factors, rebounds and assists in a recreation since Wilt Chamberlain on January 28, 1964.
For the report, Embiid’s former teammate Ben Simmons has scored 47 factors and 5 blocks — in 9 video games this season.
Much more astounding, it got here after a 42 level, 10 rebound and 6 help evening in opposition to the Hawks a day earlier.
It made him the third participant since 1988 to attain 100+ factors on a back-to-back.
Ever the perfectionist, when interviewed after the sport, he stated “I really feel nice,” earlier than Tyrese Maxey leapt on his again.
After a handshake, Embidd stated: “I missed too many free throws”. Maxey replied: “Yeah, you suck,” earlier than strolling away.
For the report, Embiid was 20 from 24 from the road.
“I’ve by no means seen a extra dominating efficiency, while you mix defence and offence,” 76ers coach Doc Rivers stated after the sport.
Maxey added: “Joel Embiid is excellent at basketball. I imply, there’s nothing else I can actually say about it. He’s simply actually good at basketball.”
Fellow teammate Mattisse Thybulle gushed: “It’s absurd. My buddies have been texting me after the sport – it’s like a 2k stat line. It’s not a type of stuff you see in an actual basketball recreation. It’s like while you choose one participant on 2k & simply do every part with them. It’s fairly ridiculous.”
It’s laborious to argue with that.
Social media erupted over the achievement.
Lakers reporter Ryan Ward wrote: “Embiid with the online game numbers”.
USA Right now contributor Austin Krell tweeted: “Fairly merely the efficiency of a lifetime. For all of his warts, Joel Embiid’s greatness shouldn’t be taken without any consideration. On Sunday, he made positive everybody appreciated simply how good he’s.”
Former AFL star Josh Jenkins posted: “I’m no #Embiid man however 59, 11, 8, 7 is EXTRAORDINARY.”
Though Embiid did have a historic evening, he missed out on being the primary participant to have a 50-point recreation this season.
That honour went to Cleveland’s Darius Garland.
Garland barely beat Embiid to the primary 50-point efficiency of the season as he grew to become the fourth Cavaliers participant to hit the half-century mark together with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Walt Wesley.
Nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient in a 129-124 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Garland’s 10 three-pointers — six within the fourth quarter — have been simply the beginning as Garland dazzled with an array of agile leap pictures and bullish drives to the basket.
“Particular,” Cavs veteran Kevin Love stated of Garland’s efficiency. “A masterclass by Darius that was simply stunning.” Cavs star Donovan Mitchell was cheering from the bench as he sat out with a sore ankle, however Garland’s profession evening wasn’t fairly sufficient.
— with AFP
