Joel Embiid says he “had it going” after breaking the Philadelphia 76ers’ franchise record with 70 points in their 133-123 defeat of the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.
Embiid eclipsed the mark of 68 set by the legendary Wilt Chamberlain to become just the ninth player in NBA history to score 70 points or more in a game.
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“Obviously, Wilt accomplished everything [in] the history of this league, and basketball in general. So to be in the same conversation, that’s pretty cool,” said Embiid, who finished a remarkable night with 70 points, 18 rebounds and five assists.
“It was just a great night. I had it going. I mentioned a few times, a lot of team-mates are extremely unselfish and they just kept giving me the ball, and I just finished it.”
The 29-year-old felt he could have scored even more after missing, by his standards, some relatively routine shots.
“I feel like when you take 40 shots, obviously, you are supposed to have a big night,” he added. “I was actually mad at myself, because I missed a lot of easy shots that I’ve been making all season. A lot of easy pull-ups.
“But when you’re shooting that many shots, which I never thought I would be taking that many shots in my life, you’re obviously going to make some, and you’re going to have a big night.”
historic night in South Philly. pic.twitter.com/lCU12aTM2H
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 23, 2024
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, who himself poured in 33 points in a losing cause, was certainly impressed on his first appearance against Embiid.
Wembanyama said: “A few years back, it was more of a guard’s game. But now, it’s come back to a big man’s game. I think it makes sense in terms of the game. We got guys, some guys all around the league who do a lot of stuff despite being very tall.
“It’s the way the game changes. Now, we got to adapt.”
