Best individual performance
Joel Embiid @ Los Angeles Lakers, Nov. 15: 46 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 7 blocks
Although the talent level of Embiid was widely acknowledged, this game virtually catapulted him to being mentioned among the elite players in the game.
In a 34-minute extravaganza, Embiid simply shredded the Lakers’ defensive plans, as they had no answer to his craftiness and versatility. While he shot 14-of-20 from the field and 16-of-19 from the free throw line, Embiid saved his best for last.
In the final period alone, Embiid registered 19 points as the Lakers’ plans of single coverage blew up in their face. Following the game, Lakers’ head coach Luke Walton stated:
"“He’s a problem….He is a heckuva shooter … we tried a couple of different things but you got to tip your hat, he’s hitting pull-up 18-footers, they used him as a post-pass man to enter the ball from the post and he is relocating to the strong side corner and hitting 3’s. He’s — he’s a problem.”"
So impressive was Embiid’s performance, the following tweet describes just how historical this performance was:
#Sixers Joel Embiid was first player in NBA history with at least 46 points, 15 rebounds, seven blocks and seven assists in a game. He was first Sixer with at least 40 points since Allen Iverson had 45 in 2006.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) November 16, 2017
To register such a performance in just his 43rd career game, after such a limited buildup in the summer due to knee surgery, speaks volume as to the potential the Cameroon native possesses moving forward.
But such a momentous occasion wouldn’t be complete without Embiid taking to social media, another area he has excelled at early in his career:
It’s safe to say this won’t be the last time we see such dominant nights from the crown jewel of the Sixers.