PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid made a striking return to the court after missing a game due to a sinus fracture, contributing 34 points and nine assists to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 108-98 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night.
Donned in a protective mask reminiscent of the “Phantom of the Opera,” Embiid received an enthusiastic welcome from the crowd as he took to the floor.
In the first three quarters, Embiid scored 22 points, helping the 76ers secure their fourth win in the last five outings. Although Philadelphia’s overall record stands at 9-16, the team is showing signs of improvement and is now in contention for a spot in the play-in tournament.
This season has been challenging for Embiid, as he has struggled with injuries, appearing in only seven games due to ongoing knee issues.
On the other side, Vasilije Micic led the Hornets with 20 points in a game where they extended their losing streak to four, marking their 12th defeat in the past 13 contests.
In terms of player updates for Charlotte, LaMelo Ball did not play as the team takes a cautious approach managing his injured left calf. This comes after Ball’s impressive performance of 34 points and 13 assists in the previous night’s loss against Washington.
For the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey added 23 points to the scoreboard, while Paul George registered five points and grabbed ten rebounds. This game marked only the fourth time this season that the celebrated trio of All-Stars—Embiid, Maxey, and George—played together.
The opening quarter saw a particularly strong performance from the 76ers, with Maxey sinking four three-pointers and the team shooting 56% overall from the field, establishing an 18-point lead early on.
A notable statistic from the game reveals that Kelly Oubre Jr. contributed 22 points for Philadelphia, teaming up with Maxey to successfully convert eight of the team’s twelve three-pointers.
Looking ahead, the Charlotte Hornets are set to host the Houston Rockets on Monday, while the 76ers will face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday.