By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
There’s just no stopping Joel Embiid.
After leading the Philadelphia 76ers to four straight wins since returning from an injury, the superstar center rewrote the NBA history books after setting the new franchise record in scoring last January 23, 2024.
Embiid dropped a new scoring record of 70 points against the San Antonio Spurs, 133-123, surpassing the great Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain’s 68-point performance last December 16, 1967.
The reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) did it with an efficient scoring rating after converting 24 out of his 41 attempts from the field.
To specifically break down Embiid’s historic performance, he got three points from a single make in the three-point line, 21 free throws, and 20 converted two-pointers.
It wasn’t just a stellar scoring display for Embiid but he also pulled down 18 big rebounds, assisted the ball five times, and tallied one block and a steal.
Embiid was already bound for a record-breaking night after already scoring 59 points in just three quarters against the Spurs.
After taking a rest in the first few minutes of the fourth quarter due to a huge lead, the 76ers sent him back with 6:38 remaining in the game.
Noticing that he could break Chamberlain’s record, Philadelphia was letting Embiid work down the block and gave him every offensive possession.
With only 1:41 remaining in the game, Embiid scored his 69th and 70th points of the night after a layup and immediately received a standing ovation from the wild Philadelphia crowd.
It was a highly-anticipated matchup as Embiid first got a taste of playing against rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama.
Despite Embiid’s historic performance, Wembanyama didn’t disappoint the Philadelphia fans as he tallied 33 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and two assists.
With another win, the 76ers became one of the hottest teams in the NBA and already won its sixth straight game in two weeks.
Philadelphia will gun for its seventh consecutive victory on January 26, 2024, as they square off against Tyrese Haliburton and the retooled Indiana Pacers squad.
