The reigning MVP Joel Embiid lit the Monday night game with historic numbers. The Philadelphia 76ers star took on the San Antonio Spurs and registered a career-high of 70 points. Importantly, he not only broke his personal best but also several other records involving superstars and legends.
First and foremost, he broke the franchise record for most points scored by a Sixers in a game. Previously, the NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain held the record for dropping 68 points against the Chicago Bulls. 57 years later, Embiid went ballistic, dropping 70 points with 18 rebounds and 5 assists.
Apart from that, he also surpassed another Sixers legend, Allen Iverson. The 6 ‘0 wizard, who brought life to the Sixers in the early 2000, dropped his career high of 60 points against the Orlando Magic in the 2004-05 season. Following that, Embiid became the first Sixers player to score above 60 points.
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Joel Embiid heard Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs were coming to town and decided to set his own career high and become the first 76er since Allen Iverson to score 60 points in a game
Philadelphia, you’re witnessing history.
MVP
— Jimmy King (@Jimmyking35) January 23, 2024
Leaving the Sixers fam aside, he also surpassed the Bulls legend Michael Jordan during his historical pursuit. He became the first player since MJ’s magical outing in 1990 to drop more than 69 points with 15 rebounds.
Finally, after beating some of the legends, he came down to beating one of his contemporaries, Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Milwaukee Bucks star recorded the season of 64 points in a revenge game against the Indiana Pacers, earlier in this season. However, the record couldn’t last more than a month, as Embiid replaced it with his 70 points.
Joel Embiid now has 65 points, passing Giannis Antetokounmpo for the most by any player in any game this season.
He is four points shy of the all-time franchise record.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) January 23, 2024
The 29-year-old’s career high game helped the home team to take a comfortable 133-123 win.
Read More – LeBron James and NBA Legends Go Wild as Joel Embiid Explodes for 70 on Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs
While the Spurs have had disappointing run in this season, it didn’t give it away easily to the MVP. Let’s look into the battle of French big men in detail.
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The battle of the French bigs
The big men of the 76ers and Spurs went up against each other for the first time in the season. And, the news from the City of Brotherly Love is all about the reigning MVP’s domination on the court. Joel Embiid registered his career-high tonight, asserting himself as the best French big.
Yes, Embiid has French citizenship. The France government granted citizenship to the Cameroonian as a ‘foreigner’. On the other hand, Victor Wembanyama, the rookie sensation, came into the league amidst the heights of expectation and also had a great night dropping 33 points. Almost surpassing his career high of 38 points. Will the rookie pay it back to the Sixers in the coming years? Only time will tell.
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What do you make of the historical night that recalled the names of the NBA legends? Let us know in the comments below.
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