Source: ESPN
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Watch Joel Embiid score 31 in return, lift 76ers to win against Bulls
With Embiid setting screens and drawing defenders, Tyrese Maxey had his first career triple-double in the victory.
nbcsports.com/nba/news/watch… – 8:09 PM

New ESPN story: Joel Embiid told ESPN his ongoing knee issues this year have been “extremely depressing” and “extremely annoying.”
“I would love to play every single game … but sometimes your body just says ‘No,’ and you can’t do nothing about it.”
espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 6:58 PM

The Milwaukee Bucks survive Dennis Schroder to bounce back on the win column

#NBASundays
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/17… – 6:03 PM

Embiid + Maxey + George was +14 (+23.3 per 100 possessions, according to @PivotFade) in 26 minutes today.
Those lineups shot 42.9% from the field, shot 23.5% from 3, and committed 11 of Philadelphia’s 15 total turnovers in the game. – 5:54 PM

Joel Embiid/Paul George/Tyrese Maxey lineup
First 21 games this season: +1 in 6 minutes
Today: +14 in 26 minutes – 4:43 PM

Thought these were the most important plays for Embiid’s short-term outlook. Looks comfortable pivoting on L knee, has burst on first step & strength to establish in post, not avoiding contact in traffic.
We’ll see how knee responds, but some really encouraging moments today. pic.x.com/xZPakZrlOx – 4:26 PM

Observations after Tyrese Maxey’s first triple-double, Joel Embiid’s winning return for the Sixers in Chicago
nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nba/philadelph… – 3:51 PM

Third time is the charm — we are going live for postgame NOW to talk big Embiid and Maxey games
youtube.com/live/sbdwTqWv0… pic.x.com/dDS52729tT – 3:43 PM


Tyrese Maxey finished with his first career triple double, Joel Embiid dropped 31/12 in his return, and the Sixers are now 4-1 in their last 5 games.
Talking about that with Devon and Kyle NOW.
youtube.com/live/sbdwTqWv0… pic.x.com/NbrigsQrvm – 3:43 PM


Joel Embiid went for 31 points in 33 minutes in his first game since November 20. A completely different player than the one the Sixers got in his first 4 games of the season.
Tyrese Maxey got his first triple-double.
The Sixers are 7-15 @OnPattison:
onpattison.com/news/2024/dec/… – 3:24 PM

For those who watched or are watching the Eagles and anyone else who wants to read…
Everything I saw from Joel Embiid and the Sixers here in Chicago. More to come:
phillyvoice.com/sixers-bulls-b… – 3:23 PM

Joel Embiid was all smiles as he exited through the visitor’s tunnel. – 3:23 PM

Terrific win for the Joel Embiid-led Sixers. Story on Embiid’s wild game and a ton more coming momentarily. pic.x.com/kimfX3jKan – 3:20 PM


Embiid today:
31 PTS
12 REB
2 BLK
His first win of the season. pic.x.com/H8AMd8YQAo – 3:20 PM


McCain-Embiid two-man stuff is already almost a guaranteed open shot. The Sixers once again respond to Chicago’s run. – 3:07 PM

We’ll see how the knee responds in the coming days, but encouraging that Embiid has burst to the rim this late in the game considering how much work he’s done in 27 minutes thus far. – 3:05 PM

Bulls have made this a game again, but can’t break through with another big three. Sixers lead 91-84 with 7:40 left as Nick Nurse calls timeout. Embiid up to 26 minutes — I would give him 2-3 minutes of rest here and then bring him back if you need him. – 2:58 PM

Lonzo Ball is being deployed for double team traps on Embiid. Sort of funny to watch him jumping up to try to tap the ball away, but it’s clearly bothering Embiid. 76ers go scoreless on three straight possessions. – 2:56 PM

88-79, Sixers lead after three. Joel Embiid will open the fourth quarter. He has played 21 minutes so far tonight. Embiid is on a minutes limit, but Nurse did not give any specific number. – 2:51 PM

This Embiid is about 20 tiers above the player the Sixers got in those first 4 games he played. – 2:27 PM

Sixers opened the second half with Maxey-McCain-Oubre-George-Embiid — McCain replacing Yabusele in the starting five — to combat Chicago’s speed. – 2:27 PM

Joel Embiid finally misses a three, but Kelly Oubre Jr. grabs the offensive rebound and the ball swings around to Maxey for another three. Timeout Chicago. – 2:26 PM

Joel Embiid puts his hands on his head after yet another mid-range jumper. He is up to 26 points in 18 minutes. – 2:24 PM


Embiid scored 19 on 18 shots in 14:34 in the first half. He did all of the damage in the 2nd quarter. Sixers were down 10 after 1, now lead by 12 at halftime almost entirely on his back. – 2:06 PM

That second quarter is why the Sixers do not want to just shut Joel Embiid down for the sake of clarity. Still working his way into game shape, he basically sleepwalked into 19 points in nine minutes. – 2:06 PM

The Bulls squandered a 10-point lead to go down 62-50 at the half.
No Bulls player scored multiple field goals in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Embiid had 19 points. – 2:05 PM

HALFTIME: Sixers 62, Bulls 50.
The Sixers put together their strongest quarter of the second in the second, outscoring Chicago by 22 points.
Second quarter points…
Joel Embiid: 19
Other Sixers: 20
Bulls: 17 – 2:05 PM

76ers 62, Bulls 50 at half
Bulls outscored 39-17 in 2nd
LaVine 13 pts
Embiid 19 pts (all in 2nd)
Maxey 7 pts, 7 assists, 6 rebs – 2:04 PM

A 19-point 2nd quarter for Embiid. He’s competitive and mobile on both ends. The Sixers got right to the two-man game with him and Maxey after a very disjointed first-quarter stint and the Bulls had nothing to stop him. – 2:01 PM

Joel Embiid spearheading a monster Sixers second quarter run — 19 points on a barrage of jumpers from the free-throw line after going 0/6 in the first – 1:59 PM

Joel Embiid’s second quarter appears to be over:
9:15
19 points
8-12 from the field – 1:58 PM

Breaking news: Joel Embiid at the nail over and over and over and over is a viable offense. – 1:57 PM


Dominant, dominant run from Embiid in the 2nd quarter. Looks much better than those first 4 games. – 1:53 PM

Huge Sixers run here, led by Embiid, who has 15 points in 7:24 of second-quarter action.
Sixers lead 47-39 after Embiid throws a no-look transition pass to Jared McCain, who then finds KJ Martin for a dunk. Sixers leading the second quarter 24-6 so far. – 1:53 PM

Another second quarter collapse by the Bulls, who are getting outscored 24-6 in this frame.
Joel Embiid has 15 points in the second quarter. – 1:52 PM


Another turnaround jumper for Embiid. Tried to do the same thing again, but got stripped by Vucevic — leading to a Chicago three. – 1:46 PM

For those keeping track of the Sixers game, Embiid has been extremely rusty early on (not surprising). But, he has moved pretty well on offense, even applying some physical force inside. – 1:45 PM

Sixers have staged a 7-0 run in the first 3:14 of the second quarter, with Maxey/George/Embiid all on the floor. Bulls call timeout. – 1:42 PM

Embiid misses, gets his own rebound and finishes the putback, plus a foul. After a predictably brutal first stretch, he is starting to settle in here. – 1:41 PM

Joel Embiid makes his return to 76ers, starting lineup Sunday
nbcsports.com/nba/news/joel-… – 1:40 PM

Joel Embiid posts up on the block and hits a turnaround jumper. He is on the board. – 1:40 PM

Joel Embiid is moving better in his second stretch. Sprinted most of the length of the court to prevent an easy transition bucket. Still 0-7 from the field, though. – 1:39 PM

Sixers get a much-needed three from Kelly Oubre Jr., then Joel Embiid swats a Coby White layup. That ends Embiid’s first stint: 5:14, 0-6 FG, 0-2 3P, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 block. – 1:20 PM


Joel Embiid has missed his first four shots — two threes, a layup and a free throw line jumper. With the Sixers trailing 12-4 after 4:09 of play, Nick Nurse calls timeout. – 1:16 PM

Embiid turns it over on a miscommunication with George and gives up a transition and-one to LaVine. They try a two-man game again, resulting in a good look from three for PG, but he can’t knock it down. – 1:13 PM


Joel Embiid misses a three on his first possession, but grabs the offensive rebound and finds Guerschon Yabusele for a bucket. Away we go. – 1:11 PM

Settling in with the fellas for Embiid’s return to the floor vs. the Bulls.
Our watchalong stream for anyone who wants to rock four screens during Eagles and Sixers!
youtube.com/live/e_r_Co6it… – 1:07 PM


For the first time since Nov. 20, Joel Embiid will play today.
Sixers starters:
Embiid
Yabusele
George
Oubre Jr.
Maxey – 12:31 PM

Going live in a few with @_devongivens to preview Sixers vs Bulls, including the possible return of one Joel Hans Embiid.
youtube.com/live/206vQJA_r… pic.x.com/z6SZDzNgf1 – 12:28 PM


Joel Embiid has completed his pregame warmup. Starting lineups in six minutes. – 12:24 PM




Nick Nurse is optimistic that Joel Embiid will play today. If he does, he’ll be limited by a minutes restriction of some kind. – 11:33 AM

Joel Embiid will go through pregame warmups but uncertain if he’s playing today.
He will be under a hefty minutes restriction if he’s cleared. – 11:32 AM

Nick Nurse is “somewhat optimistic” that Joel Embiid will play vs. Bulls. If he does, he’ll be on minutes limit. – 11:32 AM
