Two-time NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid returned to the starting lineup for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.
After missing his first seven shots and intentionally walking around in his left knee brace in the first quarter, the 2023 MVP went on a tear to propel the Sixers to a 108-100 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Embiid connected on eight of his next 10 shots in the second quarter for his first 19 points of the game, giving Philadelphia a 62-50 halftime lead.
The Sixers stretched it to 19 before holding on for their fourth win in five games, and Embiid finished with 31.
“I just got lucky and started shooting,” Embiid deadpanned as he spoke to reporters nearly 90 minutes into the game. “We just missed shots and we adjusted and we got them in.”
Embiid, a seven-time All-Star, added 12 rebounds in his fifth game this season. The 7-foot center had missed the previous seven games due to knee injuries and a three-match suspension for pushing a sports columnist.
Embiid finished slightly above his career average of nearly 27.8 points per game in 33 minutes. The Sixers don’t play again until Friday thanks to the NBA Cup, so coach Nick Nurse planned to give his star plenty of work on Sunday with a break and recovery time ahead.
“All of a sudden it definitely caught fire there with a little bit of variety,” Nurse said. “I know a lot of them looked like foul line jumpers, which they were. He snuck in a few rolls and a few post-ups. It gave us a lot of confidence.”
Nam Y. Huh / AP
The Sixers trailed 33-23 after the first quarter. Behind Embiid and a 16-0 run in the second inning, they took the lead for good. Chicago got within four points twice in the fourth, but Philadelphia closed out the game.
“We guarded really well and we rebounded extremely well on both ends,” Nurse said.
Tyrese Maxey got his first career triple-double as part of the winning formula and Embiid hit it off. Maxey finished with 25 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds.
“It was great, that’s who he is,” Maxey said of Embiid. “After he came into the game, it’s easy, it was easier, man. There was a lot more space out there.”
The All-Star trio of Embiid, Maxey and Paul George (12 points) only played the second match together this season.
“Obviously we have the connection,” Embiid said. “We know what to do when things don’t go right. Now it’s up to us to make the shots and make the plays.
“After that first quarter, it felt like we had to take more responsibility to get ourselves back in the game. They’re great players.”
