The Philadelphia 76ers, having won three of their last four games, made their way to Chicago to face the Bulls. Shortly before the tip, it was announced that Sixers’ star Joel Embiid would return to action after missing the previous seven games due to left knee injury management.
Embiid was supposed to be on a minutes restriction if he played, but he would finish the game with 33 minutes on the day and look far more like himself than expected after shaking off some rust.
Joel Embiid looks like himself
As the game began, Joel Embiid looked like a shell of himself. Going 0-6 from the floor, his struggles not only brought the team down at the moment but also made many feel even less certain if we would ever again see the man who was consistently one of the three best players in the NBA.
However, the second quarter was a different story.
Embiid would find his flow, scoring 19 points in the quarter, more than the Bulls managed in the entire quarter. Philadelphia would outscore Chicago by a score of 39-17 in the second.
The former MVP would finish the game with 31 points and 12 rebounds while physically looking far closer to the Joel Embiid Sixers fans know and love.
Tyrese Maxey struggles but thrives?
Once again, Tyrese Maxey struggled from the field, shooting just 3/12 from three. Despite continuing to struggle from a distance, Maxey played one of his best games of the season, shooting 70 percent from the floor inside the arc and amassing his first-ever NBA triple-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 14 assists.
Whatever the Sixers needed from Maxey, he was there to provide for Philadelphia. It’s been a difficult season so far for Maxey. While he’s always had a rather upbeat personality, Maxey has admittedly felt the pressure this season.
At every turn, every chance, Maxey has been forced between a rock and a hard place, which is the demand of lifting one’s team without much, if any, assistance. Now, with both Embiid and George back in the fold, Maxey will have to work to continue to build chemistry.
Embiid and Maxey’s efforts led to Philadelphia overcoming Chicago by a final score of 108-100.
For now, Maxey has both a win and his first-ever triple-double to enjoy.
Up next for the Sixers
The Philadelphia 76ers, who have shockingly now won four of their last five games, will enjoy a long break thanks to the NBA Cup. They will play their next game at home on Friday, Dec. 13, as they welcome Myles Turner, Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and the Indiana Pacers to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia defeated Indiana in their last matchup on Oct. 27 in an overtime effort backed by Tyrese Maxey’s 45 points.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., and you can catch the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia or listen live as always on 97.5 FM the Fanatic.
