NBA Scoring Title Tracker: Joel Embiid is the new leader of the pack after 45 point night against Pacers
Joel Embiid is the new leader of the pack in the race for the NBA Scoring Title after continuing his dominant end to the regular season last night with a 45 point performance against the Indiana Pacers.
Last night was Embiid’s second straight game with at least 40 points and his 11th game of the season with 40+ points and 10+ rebounds. Embiid tied Moses Malone (1981-82) and Russell Westbrook (2016-17) for the most 40 and 10 games in a season by an NBA player since the ABA-NBA merger.
Embiid is on pace to be the first center since Shaquille O’Neal and the first international player ever to win the scoring title. He is also poised to become just the six center in NBA HISTORY to average 30 points per game and the FIRST to accomplish such a feat in under 20 shots per game.
Lebron James
Embiid took the top spot from Lebron James, who missed his second straight game last night dealing with an ankle injury. The Suns absolutely destroyed the Lakers and eliminated Los Angeles from playoff contention with a 121-110 victory in Phoenix.
James now needs to play in two of the three remaining games for the Lakers to reach 58 games on the season, which is the qualifying mark to be eligible for the NBA Scoring Title.
We’ll see if Lebron can come back with no shot at the playoffs just to chase the title. I have my doubts but for a guy who loves to collect awards, you never know.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis scored just 18 points in the Milwaukee Bucks 127-106 win against the Chicago Bulls last night. He is now averaging just 29.89 points per game on the season which is more than a half point behind Embiid at 30.4 points per game.
(via NBA.com)
Up Next
All three players are back in action tomorrow night. The Sixers will be in Toronto while the Bucks host the Celtics. No word on if Lebron James plans on playing again this season, but the Lakers will visit Golden State.
Scoring leaders through games played on Tuesday, April 5 (NBA.com)
Joel Embiid:Â 30.42 ppg (2,008 points over 66 games played)
LeBron James:Â 30.27 ppg (1,695 points over 56 games played)
Giannis Antetokounmpo:Â 29.89 ppg (1,943 points over 65 games played)
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