Joel Embiid ended his career Wednesday night, doing what no 76ers player has done since Wilt Chamberlain in the process.
Embiid recorded his second career 50-point game in Philadelphia’s 123-110 win over Orlando, marking the career high he set on February 19 of last season. It also marked his second game with at least 50 points and 10 rebounds, making him only the second player to record more such games with Philadelphia.
Embiid hit the ground running, scoring 20 points and picking up five rebounds in the first quarter. He cooled down a bit in the second, going into halftime with 24 points and seven pounds.
However, in the third season, Embiid starts cooking again. After leading 57-47 at the break, he energized the 76ers to take a 47-23 lead in the third half as they finished goal with a 94-80 lead. They passed 68-67 with seven minutes to go, but then Embiid switched to nuclear; he scored 13 points in the next three minutes and seven seconds, taking all but two of Philadelphia’s as they took a seven-point lead.
He scored 23 points in the third quarter alone, putting him in 47th place at the end of the period. He re-entered the game midway through the 4th round, and made his way back to possession behind him. He knocked down his first three free throws to give him 50 before missing a fourth that could have established a career high. He was well rehabilitated with 6:25 left to play.
Embiid finished with 50 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks. He’s now averaging 27.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists during the season, firmly in the MVP conversation.
Overshadowed was another career night for Mo Bamba, Orlando, who scored a career-high 32. He actually overtook Embiid in the first half, as he broke his career record with 28. He averaged 9.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
