Joel Embiid’s effort in the Sixers’ collection of recent games certainly did not go unnoticed by fans. And, if it somehow did go unnoticed from the rest of the league, it no longer has. The MVP frontrunner has earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors. It is the fifth time in his career that he’s earned this. Embiid joins Charles Barkley and Allen Iverson as the only 76ers o win the award at least five times, per the Sixers’ PR team.
During the week of January 18 through January 24, Joel Embiid went on an absolute tear. Embiid led the Sixers to a perfect and undefeated 3-0 rout in their three games. In those games, he scored at least 33 points and 10 rebounds in each game. Also per the 76ers’ PR team, he is the first Sixer to record such stats in three straight games since Wilt Chamberlain.
Embiid carried the Sixers to a crucial win against the Boston Celtics, where he scored 42 points. He followed that up with another high scoring, 38 point game against the Celtics again. His fun didn’t stop there, as he went on to score 33 against the Pistons on Saturday night.
Throughout these games, Embiid earned his 50th career game with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds as well. He did this in only 223 career games, only trailing Shaquille O’Neal for fastest to reach that mark (190).
Sixers’ Upcoming Schedule
Embiid is said to be dealing with some back soreness after this past week and has appeared on the 76ers’ injury report. However, who could blame him– he literally carried this team the three games. Averaging 37.7 points and 11.7 rebounds in these games, he deserves a break.
The big man will look to continue to carry his success and push for MVP this upcoming week. The Sixers will take on the Pistons again tonight at 7PM. For the rest of the week, they carry a tougher schedule, facing off against the Lakers Wednesday night at 7 and Timberwolves Friday night at 8.
Photo Credit: Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire
