Monday night, Joel Embiid set the franchise record for points in a Philadelphia 76ers‘ jersey with a 70-piece nugget for Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
Earlier that day, when the head coach of the Spurs, Greg Popovich, was asked how they would slow down the reigning MVP, he said that they would “blitz” him. During the game, they indeed sent two, and sometimes even three, players to guard him, but Joel was unfazed.
AN HISTORIC 70-POINT NIGHT FOR JOEL EMBIID 👏
✅ 76ers franchise record
✅ 9th player in NBA history to score 70+
✅ A new career high70 PTS, 18 REB, 24/41 FGM, 21/23 FTM pic.twitter.com/gDKY2E9bVA
— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2024
He finished the first quarter with 24 points. That’s when everyone realized that Embiid had heard Pop’s comments before the game, and he did not let up on the young rookie at all. When he walked onto the court and saw how tall the rookie from France was, he couldn’t believe it.
Joel Embiid's reaction to seeing Victor Wembanyama 🤣pic.twitter.com/fFV9w9sAaR
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 23, 2024
The experience was deemed to be too much last night for the rookie who tried to hold his own. Finishing with 33 points and seven rebounds in 29 minutes.
Victor Wembanyama with ease. 😂
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 23, 2024
Victor Wembanyama stretches out for the two-handed slam 🤯pic.twitter.com/P5qpDfRKv3
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 23, 2024
Wemby was asked after the game about Embiid’s historical game, which he said was inspiring.
Victor Wembanyama’s reaction to Joel Embiid’s 70-point performance: “It’s inspiring” and “it’s a big man’s game.” pic.twitter.com/noq43vRSbt
— Bella DiAmore (@belladiamore) January 23, 2024
Embiid scored 46 points on 24 field goals, shooting over 55% from the field. He also made 21 free throws and one three-pointer.
Joel Embiid has set the Philadelphia 76ers franchise record for points in a single game (70) pic.twitter.com/hcn1NAzGdZ
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 23, 2024
Embiid became the third big man in the history of the NBA to have 70 points in a game, David Robinson and Wilt Chamberlin is great company to be within.
In the post-game press conference, Embiid mentioned how Kobe Bryant was the inspiration for him starting basketball in his late teenage years and growing to love it. On the anniversary, 18 years later, Embiid is setting records.
“From the time I started playing, Kobe was my guy when I started playing basketball,” Embiid told the media. ” And it is funny because on the same night, he had 81 then you know.” He also expressed his hope that Victor continues to improve and eventually has a game like his, although he jokingly added that he hopes it happens after he retires.
The Sixers have two days off before they take on an Indiana Pacers team that will be without star point guard Tyrese Halliburton.
“From the time I started playing, Kobe was my guy…he was the reason why I started playing basketball.”
– Joel Embiid
pic.twitter.com/P3X0C0atp2— Kobe Bryant Stories & Motivation (@kobehighlight) January 23, 2024
KOBE!!! 70 Piece pic.twitter.com/1qnYwTfhsB
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) January 23, 2024
Check out some of the best reactions from NBA Twitter below.
Joel Embiid to Popovich after dropping 70:
pic.twitter.com/v44JS9Yifl— Joy De’Angela (@joydeangela) January 23, 2024
"75 points right here 💪🏾"
Sixers forward Nicolas Batum after his contribution to Joel Embiid's 70-point game 🤣 pic.twitter.com/XoOqHMN9kW
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 23, 2024
Joel Embiid beats up on a teenager and everyone celebrates but when Ja Morant does it it’s a problem smh
— Céad Míle Fáilte (@ColeyMick) January 23, 2024
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