NBA

WATCH: 76ers’ Joel Embiid scores career-high 59 points against Jazz

WATCH 76ers Joel Embiid scores career-high 59 points against Jazz

Watch Joel Embiid score a career-high 59 points in the Philadelphia 76ers’ 105-98 win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday night. In the Sixers’ seventh win and the center’s seventh double-double of the season.

Embiid also finished with 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, and 7 blocks in 37 minutes played. He shot 19-of-28 (67.9%) from the floor and 1-of-5 (20%) from 3-point range.

According to some NBA betting sites, the 76ers center has the fifth-highest odds to win MVP in 2023. Check out which sportsbooks are giving Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and Jayson Tatum better odds.

The five-time All-Star scored 26 of the Sixers’ 27 points in the fourth quarter alone. “My teammates knew who had the hot hand and they just had to feed me,” Embiid said after the win.

During the fourth quarter, fans were heard chanting “MVP! MVP” at Wells Fargo Center.

While the center’s performance was legendary, he scored only the fifth-most points in a single game in franchise history. Wilt Chamberlain holds the first three spots: 68 in 1967, 65 in 1966, and 62 in 1966.

Watch Joel Embiid score a career-high 59 points in the 76ers’ 105-98 win over the Jazz

Of course, Allen Iverson scored 60 points in the 76ers’ 112-99 win over the Orlando Magic on February 12, 2005. Iverson went on earn his fourth scoring title in the 2004-05 season, averaging 30.7 points per game.

“Those are two legends that played here that I respect a lot and to be in that company means a lot,” Embiid said when asked about the Sixers legends. “I still got a long ways to go.”

Per ESPN’s statistical database, Embiid is the first player in NBA history to record at least 50 points, 11 boards, 8 assists, 1 steal, and 7 blocks in a game since blocks first became an official stat in the 1973-74 season.

Watch a segment of his postgame interview below.

After scoring 59 points over the Jazz on Sunday and 42 versus the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, the center became only the third player since 1988 to put up 100 or more points in back-to-back contests.

Through 10 starts this season, Joel Embiid is averaging 32.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.8 blocks. He’s also shooting 53.7% from the field and 23.7% from downtown.

Furthermore, the 76ers are now 7-7 and rank sixth overall in the Eastern Conference standings. On Friday, the Sixers play the Milwaukee Bucks at 7:30 p.m. ET. That matchup will air live on ESPN. To watch other highlight videos, go to the main page.