In last night’s 133-122 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid joined an extremely exclusive group of NBA players, with his impressive 70-point performance.
Exactly 18 years, after Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game – the second highest scoring output in NBA history, behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game – the reigning MVP became only the ninth player to reach the 70-point mark in an NBA game. The 29-year-old made 24 of his 41 field goal attempts, as well as 21 out of 23 attempts. Additionally, Embiid secured an impressive 18 rebounds, and dished out five assists.
While Embiid not only set a personal record, he also surpassed legendary big man Wilt Chamberlain with his 70 points and now is the Philadelphia 76ers’ new franchise record holder.
“Obviously, Wilt accomplished … everything [in] the history of this league, and basketball in general,” Embiid said after the game. “So to be in the same conversation, that’s pretty cool.
It was just a great night,” he said. “I had it going. I mentioned a few times, a lot of teammates are extremely unselfish and they just kept giving me the ball, and I just finished it.”
As you can imagine, the basketball world was in awe after Embiid’s insane performance. Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to Embiid’s historical milestone.
Everyone watching the Timberwolves game now that Embiid dropped 70 pic.twitter.com/GkQOld36nY
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) January 23, 2024
“70?! … S–t.”
KD’s reaction when hearing about Embiid’s 70-point game pic.twitter.com/ewQhWduZHM
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 23, 2024
That 70 piece wing dinner “All Flats” and those 18 Biscuits tonight that Embiid blessed Wemby and the Spurs with is just fucking INSANE!!! Carry the hell on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) January 23, 2024
This Embiid game is unreal.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 23, 2024
Embiid since December 1st:
40.3 PPG
11.9 RPG
5.1 APG
57/42/90%One of the most dominant stretches in NBA history. https://t.co/wyWqdz4vtq
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 23, 2024
Embiid and Wemby in 20 years
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 23, 2024
Embiid this season:
1,156 points
1,096 minutesAveraging the most points per minute in NBA history. https://t.co/wyWqdz4vtq
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 23, 2024
Joel Embiid to Popovich after dropping 70:
pic.twitter.com/v44JS9Yifl— Joy De’Angela (@joydeangela) January 23, 2024
Reminder that Embiid might not be eligible for MVP, thanks to the new NBA rule requiring at least 65 games played for postseason awards. (He’s already missed 11 of 42 games.) Gonna keep saying it – I get wanting to address load management, but this wasn’t the place to do it. https://t.co/PNXhPEUAZL
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) January 23, 2024
Can we all agree Embiid is the best scorer in the NBA?
— NBA University (@NBA_University) January 23, 2024
With all due Respect to KD… but Joel Embiid is the best Scorer in the game!!! He has mastered the offensive end and he has ZERO FLAWS offensively. What he’s doing to people on a night to night basis is ridiculous! God Bless America
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) January 23, 2024
yeah Embiid knew he was about to give Wemby 40+ ✅ pic.twitter.com/tKOnjjjXGe
— PrizePicks (@PrizePicks) January 23, 2024
50-point games by an active center:
8 — Joel Embiid
4 — Everyone else combinedUnstoppable. pic.twitter.com/vABwWL8s8f
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 23, 2024
Brett Brown watched Embiid drop 70 tonight pic.twitter.com/phwJvsqmLn
— Jacob Moreno (@Jacobmorenonba) January 23, 2024
KOBE!!! 70 Piece pic.twitter.com/1qnYwTfhsB
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) January 23, 2024
70 PIECE NUGGET!!!! @JoelEmbiid . CRAZY
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 23, 2024
