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On some nights, the outcome is just never in question.
Tuesday’s meeting between the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls was such an occasion. The Sixers led 43-18 after the first quarter, 73-42 at the half and cruised to a 110-97 blowout win.
Joel Embiid led the Sixers in a big way, as usual, putting up 31 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists and two blocks in the win, while Tyrese Maxey added 21 points. It was Embiid’s 15th straight game with at least 30 points, his 14th straight game with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds and his second triple-double of the season.
NBA @NBA
First bucket in return to action ✅
First bucket of 2024 ✅
The reigning #KiaMVP is on the board on NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/7rpiqCjSxZ
NBA TV @NBATV
Joel Embiid with the tough turnaround bucket 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pNxA7hptov
NBA TV @NBATV
Embiid no-look dime to secure the triple-double 👀
📊: 29 PTS, 15 REB, 10 AST pic.twitter.com/DblFi6u5wG
Oh, and he did all of that in three quarters. He wasn’t even needed in the fourth.
DeMar DeRozan put up 16 points for Chicago in a losing effort.
Embiid, who averaged a ridiculous 40.2 points, 12.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.1 blocks in nine December games, returned Tuesday from an ankle injury that cost him the past four games. The Sixers were 2-2 in his absence.
He clearly didn’t miss a beat, and NBA fans and pundits alike were happy to have him back:
Nova @Ventasion2
Embiid triple double on his first day back in the NBA pic.twitter.com/OIEa8dTUN3
Darryl Andrews ✊🏾 @superscrap72
Joel Embiid 🏀 pic.twitter.com/RmKmPPWaoS
kang @jaycaspiankang
Embiid reaching the ‘it’s just a privilege to watch him dominate’ level. Best NBA narrative is him finally getting over this season. Would be a Dirk level title too.
Paul Hudrick @PaulHudrick
It is amazing how much better Joel Embiid makes the Sixers by simply being on the court. Everything looks so much easier on both ends.
Ghost of Toyotathon Sales Event Past @PanasonicDX4500
We are just now finally getting the chance to see what Joel Embiid looks like when he’s not chained down with one of the worst coaches in the league or a 6’10” costar who’s afraid to both shoot and dunk.
Unimpeachable Listmaker @Joel4MVP
Trying to guard Embiid one on one has to be the most frustrating thing in the world for a basketball player. You literally cannot stop him.
Jamaican King 🇯🇲 @_karateChris
Embiid just be rolling out of bed to give teams 30/10/5
just lbs. @just_lbs
Embiid is on one this year 😬
General Tso God 🇨🇲🇳🇬🇲🇱 @I_aint_doit
Embiid different yo
The only thing that threatened to slow down Embiid on Tuesday was foul trouble, as he took three fouls into halftime and picked up his fourth early in the third quarter. It proved to be moot, however..
Heck, he even had time to enjoy some candy during the game:
Darnell Mayberry @DarnellMayberry
Joel Embiid giving the Bulls the business while eating Jolly Ranchers. pic.twitter.com/gMgxjWKn1x
The superstar center continues to look like a true MVP contender yet again after winning his first one last season. But the bigger question is whether he can finally lead this Sixers team (23-10) to a title after never advancing past the second round of the playoffs.
Teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics will be the favorites to win the Eastern Conference, but Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and the revamped roster following the James Harden trade have the Sixers looking like a threat.
As for the floundering Bulls (15-20), head coach Billy Donavan told reporters earlier on Tuesday that Zach LaVine realistically could return to the court in the next week. The star guard hasn’t played since Nov. 28 with a foot injury, though it remains questionable how much longer he’ll be in Chicago, given ongoing trade rumors surrounding him.
The Bulls may be without a pair of key contributors going forward, however, as Patrick Williams was ruled out for the remainder of Tuesday’s game with an ankle injury and Coby White left the game in the third quarter with the same injury. He did return to the bench in the fourth quarter.
The Bulls can’t seem to catch a break, which makes facing a superstar like Embiid all the more daunting.
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