Philadelphia players celebrate with Joel Embiid after he scored 70 points/from Philadelphia's twitter '76
Joel Embiid entered the history books tonight (between Monday and Tuesday) as only the ninth NBA player to score 70 or more points in a single game.
The Philadelphia star exploded on San Antonio with 70 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists and a single turnover in only 37 minutes, making 24 of 41 from the field and 21 and 23 from the free throw and leading the Sixers to 123:133 on the day The 18th year for Kobe Bryant's 81 points against Toronto.
the numbers
Until tonight, no player in Philadelphia's illustrious history had reached 70 points.
Wilt Chamberlain was the closest with 68 points.
Let's remember: Wilt holds the all-time record with 100 points.
The only ones besides him who scored more than 70 (an achievement Devin Booker can also be proud of) are Kobe Bryant (81), David Thompson (73), Damian Lillard (71), Donovan Mitchell (71), David Robinson (71) and Algin Baylor (71).
Embiid is currently at 1,156 points in 1,096 minutes this season - on pace for one of the greatest scoring seasons in league history.
He is scoring 36.1 points per game this season - three more than he scored last year, when he was named MVP.
Embiid tied his previous career high in points (59) already in the third quarter.
18 rebounds is a season high for Embiid.
He did all this in 36:38 minutes - the least ever for a player who scores 70 or more points.
The center became the first player to put up at least 70 points and 15 rebounds in a game since Wilt in 1963, and the third ever.
Embiid is the first player of all time with at least 70 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists in one game.
The only one in league history who can boast at least 60 points and one loss is Carmelo Anthony (62).
The center now has 30 or more points in his last 21 games.
And for 43 games of at least 40 points and 10 rebounds, like Shaquille O'Neal who shares with him the sixth place in NBA history in this category.
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The responses
Joel Embiid, who went down to the bench and returned from it with 6:38 minutes to go, with a 104:118 lead, claimed that he did not try to break the club's record: "I was angry with myself, because I missed a lot of shots that I scored all season. Obviously, Wilt achieved a lot of things , being on the same roster with him is pretty cool. It was a great night, the guys were looking for me and I just finished. I told them I didn't want it to be forced, we tried to play the right way. The game was still pretty close, and I felt like I had to come back. So also I understood that it is possible to go for the record."
Philly coach Nick Nurse: "He can score in so many ways, his size allows him to get to the penalty box a lot and he has a touch in shooting. The way he moves, the skills, the size - everything is possible that way."
His teammate Tyrese Maxey: "He's great, I keep saying that you shouldn't take him for granted, not us, not the club, not the fans, and not any basketball fans - don't take him for granted, because what he's doing right now is special. He's doing Everything, and if that's not enough, he's also our defensive anchor. Everyone should appreciate him."
Victor Wombanayama, who guarded Embiid for large parts of the game: "It's inspiring to see him like this."
The Phillies star complimented back, saying: "He's got it all - size, skills, everything, bright future. He's already pretty good. Once he develops, he'll be a serious problem. I hope I don't have to guard him because I'll be out of the league by now. I hope he breaks the All these records."
The reactions throughout the league
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Townes' sad show
And there was another show tonight.
For only the second time in NBA history (and the first since David Thompson and George Gervin in 1978), two different players scored over 60 points on the same day - Karl Anthony Towns raining 62 on Charlotte's head, but unfortunately, in his case it ended in loss.
The Timberwolves' center scored no less than 44 points in the first half, but his team dropped an 18-point lead and lost to one of the weakest teams in the league.
"It was a disgusting performance of defense and immature basketball," attacked coach Chris Finch, and claimed that his players repeatedly looked for Towns, instead of trying to win.
"I understand that there will be moments when someone scores 2-3-4 in a row and you want to keep looking for him, but at some point you have to go back and make the right move. We were very immature. We didn't respect the game, ourselves, and we received the appropriate punishment."
The center himself, who shot 10 three-pointers and scored the most points in one half since Kobe Bryant in 1996/97, admitted: "To deliver such an evening and lose does not feel good or historic."
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Joel Embiid
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Carl Anthony Towns