Joel Embiid dominates the Lakers with career night
The Philadelphia 76ers marched past the Los Angeles Lakers 115-109 on Wednesday night as their 7-foot center, Joel Embiid, laid down the best game of his young career. Embiid dropped a career-high 46 points while snagging 15 rebounds, dispersing seven dimes and swatting seven shots.
His incredible stat line was the first time since 1982 that a player posted those kinds of numbers. If you’re wondering who that player is, it’s none other than Sixers legend Julius Erving. The Cameroonian big man hasn’t quite reached that kind of greatness, but if he keeps dishing out games like this one, it won’t be long before his jersey hangs in the rafters.
Joel Embiid started the season on a minutes restriction, but after highly publicized distain for his limited court time and careful reevaluation by team doctors, the outspoken star has received ample playing time. Since returning to regular minutes for the first time since his days at The University of Kansas, Embiid has averaged 28 points, 13.3 boards and 3 blocks per game.
Although his numbers have increased and his efficiency has sustained, it’s worth wondering whether the end to his minutes restriction was premature. Philadelphia has a history with the mismanagement of injuries and his name already belongs to that less than desirable list. First overall pick, Markelle Fultz, struggled to play through a nagging shoulder injury, but the Sixers only pulled him from the lineup once heavy criticism from the media and their fans became too much to ignore.
While Philly lead for the majority of the game, the Lakers kept up, but could never find a way to secure their lead. Dark horse Rookie of the Year candidate, Kyle Kuzma, continued to surprise the league with yet another impressive display of his scoring arsenal, and second-year forward Brandon Ingram continued his climb to redemption after a sorry showing his rookie year.
Their were several bright spots for the reeling Lakers. However, their highly scrutinized floor general, Lonzo Ball, was not one of them. Ball’s cold stroke stayed intact as he shot a miserable 1-11 from the floor. Los Angeles was outscored by 18 points when he was on the court, and they benched him for the entirety of the final frame.
Most rookies have their struggles, but Lonzo’s been historically terrible. Though it’s never good when the proclaimed savior of your franchise is warming the bench at the end of the game, maybe he’ll learn a lesson or two from this humbling experience.
As long as his team is winning, Ball says he isn’t bothered by the benching. Well, his team too the L on Wednesday night, so we’ll see how long that sentiment lasts. For now, we’ll have to keep our collective fingers crossed in hopes that he turns things around.
