Joel Embiid makes NBA History after Sixers defeat Clippers on West Coast Road Trip
Back-to-back wins in Los Angeles on national television for the Philadelphia 76ers and literally no one outside the city of Philadelphia seems to notice. Isn’t that convenient?
After picking up a 120-110 victory, the Sixers have completed the 2-0 season series sweep over the LA Clippers. Joel Embiid has been nothing short of elite and is currently playing the best basketball in the NBA, but again no one seems to acknowledge him.
Embiid moved to a perfect 9-0 in his career when playing in Los Angeles and spoke about it after the Clippers game, while also reminding viewers that he’s also a perfect 6-0 against the Chicago Bulls and 7-1 when playing the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
You can check out that video right here.
Joel Embiid Continues to add to his Elite Resume
Another 40+ point night for Embiid feels like clockwork at this point. In the season series against the Clippers, he met the 40-point mark both times. His average in those two games is 42.5 points while averaging 33.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this season. Embiid is trailing only Luka Doncic in the race for the NBA Scoring Title, which he won last year.
Sixers Center Joel Embiid makes NBA history
Joel Embiid has had 40 or more points on eight different occasions this season. That has lifted the Sixers center into the top 5 all-time in 40-point games by a center. What makes that much more impressive is that he is among the best in the NBA in defensive rating as well, literally defining what it means to be the “complete package” on a basketball court.
For some reason (we know why), he will continue to get snubbed in MVP voting, so we are here to make some awareness about arguably the NBA’s most underrated player. Yes, you read that correctly; I am sick and tired of the disrespect put on Embiid’s name. He has had the weight of the world put on his shoulders to carry this Sixers franchise since he finally took the floor in October of 2016.
The numbers back that last statement, as he leads the NBA in usage percentage (37.9%).
Joel Embiid is roughly 11 games away from being eligible for the career PPG leaderboard on Basketball Reference. Once he arrives, he will rank in the Top 8 All-Time. Here’s a nice tracker from Pete Salveson on Twitter.
Embiid could easily climb into the Top 5 or honestly, the Top 3 if he continues to play like he has over the past three seasons throughout the rest of his career and wait, it actually gets even more insane..
Embiid has the highest points per 36 minutes EVER. In the history of the NBA, no one has more PTS/36. That is an absolutely insane statistic.
Joel Embiid has 30.48 points / minutes played / 36 in his career.
The Sixers are playing their best basketball of the 2022-23 season and have now won eight out of their last 10 games.
With the Brooklyn Nets losing three straight, the Sixers moved up in the rankings to third in the Eastern Conference at 28-16. Their tour of the West continues tomorrow night against the Portland Trailblazers.
Mandatory Credit: Getty Images
