The Philadelphia 76ers (9-16) got back Joel Embiid against the Charlotte Hornets (7-21) on Friday night, and he delivered. Embiid, sporting a black face mask to protect his sinus fracture, scored 24 of his 34 points in the second half to go along with five rebounds and a season-high nine assists as the 76ers defeated Charlotte 108-98 to sweep the season-series(4-0) over the Hornets.
Embiid says the injury does bother him, but overall, he was fine.
“I felt okay,” he said. “Still obviously recovering, it bothers me sometimes, the head in general. Just going as it gets better every day, and that’ll be good.”
Paul George, who had five points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, says the game is easier with Embiid on the court.
“Yeah I mean, he does make the game so easy,” George said. “A lot of stuff was just plays we weren’t in sync on, but we’ll get that as we’re on the court with more games under our belt. But it’s great man, he’s a cheat code.”
Embiid admitted that he battled some depression dealing with his myriad of injuries, but he does have support, including from George and his other teammates, and he says that support has been helpful.
“You can never get enough of the support,” he said. “When you have the support from family, people close to you, your teammates, guys like him, that’s the reason why you keep going and keep figuring out that because that’s who you play for. People that support you, people that push you. I have a hard time disappointing people, which I’m working on, so when you get that kind of support, it’s not that hard. Like I said, you feel bad about yourself and I like to please people, so just have to keep going.”
Tyrese Maxey added 23 points, and Kelly Oubre Jr. chipped in with 22.
Embiid, Maxey, and Oubre Jr. became the first 76ers trio to each score 20-plus points in a game this season.
Philadelphia now has four of their last five games, and if they can keep Embiid healthy, they will continue stringing wins together. They will be without Embiid on Saturday night when they head to Cleveland to battle the Cavs(24-4), who have the best record in the NBA.
Would they have been better suited keeping Embiid out against the Hornets, who they have beaten three times without him, and saving him for the Cavs? They probably would, but seeing him on the court at any time or point is good.
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