CAMDEN, N.J.–Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid had a game for the ages on Sunday as he had a career-high 59 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and he also tied his career-high with seven blocks. The big fella had it going in a win over the Utah Jazz.
The Sixers were missing James Harden on that night as he continues to rehab from his foot injury, but The Beard was on the bench with his team that night and he was witnessing what the big fella did out on the floor.
“I was there live,” Harden laughed. “I don’t know why they didn’t double-team him. If I was the opposing team. He had it going. I told him to get 60 point triple-double, but he couldn’t pass the ball.”
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The Jazz did begin to double Embiid late, but at that point, it was too late for them. The superstar big man couldn’t be stopped. He was knocking down jumpers, he was getting to the free-throw line, and he was putting in work on the low block as well. There was nothing Utah could do to stop him.
“He just had it going,” said Harden. “You can just see that bounce in his step that he had. Every shot was going in. He was making some really good passes, which kind of opened things up a little bit more for him to score the ball, but that was an overall MVP-like performance.”
Then, there was his defense. The seven blocks he had not only tied his career-high, but also saved the Sixers on plenty of defensive possessions. Philadelphia needed all of it on Sunday in order to come away with the win.
“Then, defensively, he was just chasing everything on the rim,” Harden finished. “That was elite right there. That was one of the best games I’ve seen”
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