Joel Embiid breaks Wilt Chamberlain's 76ers record with a 70-point game.

ESPN Philadelphia's Tim Bontemps After becoming the ninth player in NBA history to score 70 points in a game and breaking Wilt Chamberlain's 76ers franchise record of 68 points, Joel Embiid said it was "great" to be in the same conversation as the legendary player.

"Wilt accomplished everything in this league's history and in basketball in general," Embiid remarked after the Sixers defeated the Spurs 133-123 on Monday night thanks to his 70 points. "So to be in the same conversation, that's pretty cool."

Before Monday's game, Embiid had never ended with 70 points, 18 rebounds, or 5 assists in the NBA, according to ESPN's Stats & Information.

He remarked, "It was just a great night." "I was feeling good. I've said it a few times: many of my teammates are incredibly selfless, and they simply kept passing the ball to me, which I then finished."

With 1:41 left, Embiid raced coast to coast for a layup over several defenders to bring his total to 70 points. Embiid finished it again, shooting 24-for-41 from the floor and 21-for-23 from the foul line.

In just 36 minutes, he also recorded a season-high 18 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, and just 1 turnover.
Embiid scored 24 points in the first quarter, 34 in the first half, and 59 points at the end of the third quarter, when he finished with a stepback 3-pointer to tie his previous career record, which he had set at home against the Utah Jazz last season.

The 76ers coach Nick Nurse stated, "It kind of hit me, I thought, at the start of the third." "I believe he had an and-1 and a bucket in the first minute or so. "Wait a minute, he's already got like 37, 38, or something like that," I thought to myself. "Wow, that seems like a lot, and we still have half of it left."

It was unknown at that point if Embiid would have a chance to go for the record or if the 76ers, like they have done multiple times this season, would blow the game open in the fourth quarter and give Embiid the rest of the night off with Philadelphia (29–13) leading by 15 after three quarters.

Despite this, San Antonio (8-35) managed to hold on, powered by 33 points and 7 rebounds from rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama. When Embiid returned to the game with 6:38 left, the Wells Fargo Center audience erupted into a standing ovation.

"The only thing I told my teammates was, please, just don't force it," stated Embiid. "How about we just play hoops? Pass it if I'm open; if not, make sure you make the appropriate play."

On his first offensive play of the fourth quarter, he was immediately fouled; he made both of his free throws to set a new career best. Then, as the last frame developed, he continued to accumulate points. The audience grew louder in its demands that Embiid shoot whenever he got the chance, to the point where reserve forward Danuel House Jr. was jeered for grabbing an open corner three.

Embiid grinned and remarked, "It's terrible Danuel House got booed for [making the right play]." All we wanted to do was play the correct plays at the right times. They found me a lot, of course, and I made shots."



With 1:57 left, Embiid eventually tied Chamberlain's record with two free throws. He then ran coast to coast for the layup to climb to 70 points after Philadelphia earned a stop on the other end. A few seconds later, he was removed from the game.

In the end, though, it was simply another in Embiid's amazing run of offensive displays; the league's most valuable player is still on pace to record the highest scoring season in NBA history. With 1,156 points in 1,096 minutes through 32 games, he leads the league in points scored per minute played, a feat only Chamberlain has ever accomplished.
Embiid, who has taken home the NBA scoring title the last two seasons, is currently averaging 36.1 points this year, which is a full three points higher than his average during his MVP-winning season.

Tyrese Maxey, a guard for the Sixers with eight assists and eight points, called him "awesome."" As I always say, we must not take this for granted. You can't take Jo for granted, man—not just as teammates, nor as an organization, but as fans as well. It doesn't matter if you're a basketball fan or not a Philadelphia fan. He's doing something unique at the moment.

He's not relying solely on layups or three-pointers to accomplish his goals. He's making it off of everything. It's a free throw from him. There is so much that he is doing. The worst part is that, in addition to anchoring the defense, he is also on the opposite end. He won't be taking any defense-related nights off. Thus, you know, we're grateful for him, and everyone else ought to be too."

Wembanyama, who performed admirably in his debut game against Embiid, was one individual who was pleased with Embiid's play. After the game, he acknowledged that facing Embiid on Monday night was "inspiring."

Wembanyama remarked, "A few years ago, it was more of a guard's game." However, it's back to being a big man's game now. In terms of the game, I believe it makes sense. We have a few guys in the league who, despite their height, do a lot of different things.



It has to do with how the game adapts. We now need to adjust."
After years of refining his technique, Embiid is now playing at an even higher level. His performance of surpassing 70 points, which he accomplished without even warming up before Monday's game due to traffic delays, was clear evidence of that, as was his belief that he might have scored even more.

"I feel like when you take 40 shots, obviously, you are supposed to have a big night," Embiid stated. "I was really upset with myself since I had been missing a lot of simple shots all season long. Many simple pull-ups.

"However, after taking that many shots, which I never imagined I would take, it goes without saying that you will make some, and you're going to have a fantastic evening."

Karl-Anthony Towns of Minnesota, who scored a Timberwolves record 62 points in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets, came very close to matching Embiid's productive night. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Embiid and Towns became the first duo of NBA players since David Thompson (73) and George Gervin (63) in 1978 to each score at least 60 points in a single day.