MY ACCOUNT
Joel Embiid has no plans to let up after putting on another dominating performance as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated a depleted New Orleans Pelicans side on Tuesday.
Embiid had 42 points alongside 14 rebounds and four assists for the 76ers, who ran out 117-107 victors at the Wells Fargo Center.
Having been criticised in the past for missing games, Embiid recently revealed he has altered his diet in order to compete more regularly.
It certainly seems to have done the trick. Tuesday’s game was his 19th in a row, helping Philly to a 13-6 run in that time, during which he is averaging 33.3 points to enhance his MVP credentials having finished runner-up last season.
“That was one of my goals, just to be available. I don’t plan on stopping,” said Embiid, whose 76ers side are now 28-19 and sixth in the East.
The Pelicans actually led 58-50 at the break despite missing starters Devonte Graham, Josh Hart, and Brandon Ingram with ankle injuries, while Jonas Valanciunas was rested. Zion Williamson is also still out with the foot injury that has kept him out all season.
Asked what the thought process was for the second half, Embiid said: “Just win.
“Just being aggressive because in the first half everything was easy for them.”
Embiid was not the only player to go off on Tuesday, with Nikola Jokic leading the Denver Nuggets in their 110-105 defeat of the Detroit Pistons, which leaves them sixth in the West with a 25-21 record.
Jokic had 28 points, 21 rebounds and nine assists but was uninterested in re-watching the film to try and find an extra assist that would have given him a triple-double.
“I’m not worried about that,” he said.
“It was a good game for me and a huge win for our team. I knew I was having a big night, but I wasn’t thinking about the stats.”
During the game, Jokic chalked up a 3,000th career NBA assist. He is now the only Denver player to record 3,000 assists and 5,000 rebounds in the NBA.
“It’s hard to keep track of all the milestones he’s passing,” head coach Michael Malone said.
“He just won Western Conference Player of the Week, and then he has 28, 21 and nine tonight.”
Team-mate Jeff Green, who had 20 points himself, added of Jokic: “It’s incredible to play with Jokic – he’s one of the best players I’ve ever been on the floor with.
“When you are out there with him, you know that if you do your job, you’re going to get open shots. The defense has to focus on him.”
