Without Jimmy Butler in the lineup, the Philadelphia 76ers lost a close game to the Brooklyn Nets 127-124 in Philly. However, 24-year-old center Joel Embiid had his best game this month, becoming the second Sixers player to record multiple 30-point, 15-rebound, 5-assist games in the last 30 years. Charles Barkley was the first.
Joel Embiid joins Charles Barkley as the only 76ers players with multiple 30-point, 15-rebound, 5-assist games in a season over the last 30 seasons. pic.twitter.com/TpZ1DyET01
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 13, 2018
Embiid had 33 points in 38 minutes on 12-of-18 shooting. He also had 17 rebounds, six assists a steal and a block, but it still wasn't enough. Spencer Dinwiddle had a career-high 39 points for the Nets.
Early in the season, Embiid was playing like an MVP candidate, but he has struggled more in the last few weeks after the Butler trade. He had played every game this season until head coach Brett Brown sat him in the first part of a home-and-home with the Detroit Pistons for rest purposes.
Regardless, Embiid has still posted eye-popping numbers on the season. He's averaging 26.5 points, 13.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists. One of the league's best rim defenders, Embiid is also swatting 1.9 shots per game.
Additionally, Joel Embiid has posted these numbers playing with Ben Simmons and — for 13 games so far this season — Jimmy Butler, two players known for being ball dominant and less than great shooters. Embiid is playing like an MVP without the benefit of great spacing. This leads to him being fouled more often, and Embiid leads the league with 285 free-throw attempts this season.
Follow Us
Subscribe