Joel Embiid is back in action, and it’s looking promising for the Philadelphia 76ers. After a season riddled with injuries limiting him to just 35 games, the 30-year-old center has now played in the last four matchups, including a solid 36 minutes in a 118-114 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. With Embiid healthy and on the court, the 76ers transform from a potential Play-In team into a formidable dark horse in the NBA Playoffs, especially with Tyrese Maxey and Paul George also rejoining the lineup.
In the win against the Hornets, Embiid delivered 29 points (8-19 FG) and snagged six rebounds, appearing at ease as the 76ers fielded one of their most complete lineups in recent months. Their road victory wasn’t without drama, though, as Hornets announcer Eric Collins made waves with a comment about Embiid’s knack for drawing fouls.
Collins expressed his frustration during Embiid’s 13 trips to the free-throw line, particularly at the end of the third quarter, saying, “Oh Embiid, good golly. This guy is an absolute merchant. He’s a free-throw merchant.”
This isn’t the first time Embiid has faced such criticism. His former teammate Dwight Howard once praised Embiid’s ability to ‘flop’ and earn free throws, and several coaches, including the Clippers’ Tyronn Lue and Pistons’ J.B. Bickerstaff, have voiced their concerns over the number of free throws Embiid accumulates.
If getting to the line is an art, Embiid is a master. Averaging 8.7 free throws per game while playing 31.2 minutes, he even outpaced Nikola Jokic in free throws during the 2023-24 season, despite playing significantly fewer games.
Collins’ comments were unexpected, especially since the Hornets themselves shot 32 free throws compared to the 76ers’ 29. It’s a testament to the competitive nature of the game and the frustration that can arise when facing a player of Embiid’s caliber.
The 76ers were firing on all cylinders, led by Embiid and supported by Maxey, who returned with a bang after a 10-game absence, scoring 26 points (10-18 FG) along with seven rebounds and eight assists. Paul George, playing his second game after a 25-game suspension, contributed 26 points, 13 rebounds, and four steals.
This win is a boost for the 76ers, who are eyeing a top-six playoff spot with just eight games left, trailing the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds in the East by half a game.
The Hornets put up a strong fight, with Brandon Miller leading the charge with 29 points (8-17 FG) and eight rebounds. LaMelo Ball added 20 points and eight rebounds, while Coby White came off the bench to score 16 points (6-11 FG). Rookie Kon Knueppel had a tough shooting night with 11 points (3-14 FG) but managed to pull down 11 rebounds.
Eric Collins is a fan favorite, known for his passionate commentary, so his pointed remarks might just be a reflection of his fervor for the Hornets in a tightly contested game.