Joel Embiid put on a clinic Saturday night, dropping 40 points and grabbing 11 boards to lift the Philadelphia 76ers past the New Orleans Pelicans, 124-114. It was a statement win on a night clouded by major off-court news: Paul George was handed a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy.
The league didn’t reveal the specifics of the violation, and George, in a statement, admitted he took something “improper.” The timing couldn’t have been worse for Philly, who now faces the reality of a playoff push without one of their marquee additions.
Still, the Sixers found a way to respond - and it started with Embiid. The reigning MVP was in full control, hitting from all over the floor, muscling through defenders, and commanding the moment when the game hung in the balance.
With just over 11 seconds left, Embiid stepped to the line to chants of “M-V-P! M-V-P!”
and calmly knocked down his first free throw to hit the 40-point mark. It was a fitting exclamation point on a night where he once again reminded the league why he’s one of the most dominant forces in the game.
But this wasn’t a one-man show. Tyrese Maxey added 18 points, including a clutch three late in the fourth that gave the Sixers a 117-111 lead.
From there, Embiid and rookie VJ Edgecombe hit back-to-back triples to put the game out of reach. The Sixers hit 17 threes in total - a key factor in keeping the Pelicans at bay in a game that was tighter than the final score suggests.
Kelly Oubre Jr. chipped in with 19 points, playing with the kind of energy and confidence that’s made him a valuable piece in Philly’s rotation. The Sixers needed every bit of it, too - the Pelicans, despite their record, didn’t go quietly.
Saddiq Bey was the bright spot for New Orleans, pouring in 34 points and keeping them within striking distance all night. Zion Williamson, however, was quiet by his standards, finishing with just 11 points.
The night also carried historical weight for the Sixers, as the franchise celebrated the 25th anniversary of Allen Iverson and the unforgettable 2001 run to the NBA Finals. Iverson was in the building, joined by former team president Pat Croce, GM Billy King, and several members of that Eastern Conference title squad. The nostalgia was thick - but so was the reminder that the Sixers haven’t been back to the conference finals since that run.
Now, with George sidelined for the foreseeable future, that drought looks even more daunting. The Sixers will have to lean heavily on Embiid, Maxey, and a supporting cast that’s still finding its identity in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
Up Next:
Pelicans: Travel to Charlotte for a Monday night matchup.