Joel Embiid makes a successful comeback from knee surgery, netting 24 points as the Sixers defeat the Thunder 109-105.

April 02, 2024

Joel Embiid makes a successful comeback from knee surgery, netting 24 points as the Sixers defeat the Thunder 109-105.

Joel Embiid secured Philadelphia's lead with four successful free throws in the last 40 seconds and concluded the game with 24 points. This marked his return to the court after a nine-week absence due to knee surgery, guiding the 76ers to a 109-105 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Joel Embiid's clutch performance, sinking four free throws in the closing 40 seconds, propelled Philadelphia to a 109-105 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. This marked Embiid's first game in nine weeks since undergoing knee surgery. In addition to his 24 points, Embiid contributed seven assists and six rebounds in nearly 30 minutes on the court. His return instilled confidence in the Sixers, suggesting that they can revive their season and pursue a postseason campaign with the former MVP back in action.

After the game, Joel Embiid received congratulations from Hall of Famer Allen Iverson.

Chet Holmgren led the Thunder with 22 points as they compete fiercely with Minnesota and Denver for the top spot in the Western Conference.

The Sixers found themselves trailing by 11 points with 7:27 remaining before launching a remarkable comeback. Kelly Oubre Jr.'s 3-pointer sparked the turnaround, with Embiid sealing the deal through a series of free throws. Embiid's two free throws gave the Sixers a 106-105 lead, followed by two more that extended it to 108-105. He went perfect from the foul line, sinking all 12 attempts during the game.

Exhausted, Embiid sat on the scorer's table as the final seconds elapsed before approaching Iverson with a sauntering gait.

Oubre contributed 25 points, while Tobias Harris added 18 to the scoreboard.

Embiid sustained an injury on January 30th during the game against Golden State. Subsequently, he underwent meniscus surgery on his left knee a week later. The absence of Embiid significantly impacted the Sixers' performance in the Eastern Conference standings, currently placing them in eighth position, trailing Miami by 1 1/2 games.

However, with Embiid back in good health, the 76ers now possess a more promising opportunity to advance further in the playoffs, potentially securing a series win or two.

"He makes significant changes to their game," remarked Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. "Their playing style shifts noticeably when he's on the court compared to the last 30 games or so when he's been absent. His presence alters their approach significantly."

The Thunder struggled to maintain their performance in the fourth quarter, especially with All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missing his third game out of four due to a quad injury. Additionally, Jalen Williams sat out for the Thunder due to an ankle injury, while All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey was inactive for the 76ers due to a hip issue.

Sixers coach Nick Nurse expressed admiration for the Thunder's performance, particularly highlighting the impact of Gilgeous-Alexander's contributions. "I think they've got a lot of talent," Nurse commented. "They have an exceptional superstar who ranks among the best in the league. They also have other emerging stars who are very skilled players. Their cohesive system allows them to synchronize well."

Featured

The battle-tested Knicks had no choice but to vie for the second seed.

Joel Embiid makes a successful comeback from knee surgery, netting 24 points as the Sixers defeat the Thunder 109-105.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Tracy Chapman received an enthusiastic standing ovation following a rare live performance of "Fast Car" alongside Luke Combs.

Results from AEW Dynamite on January 10, 2023.