Joel Embiid made a statement in his return to the Philadelphia 76ers lineup after missing 15 games due to foot and knee injuries. His presence immediately made an impact as he led the team to a 118-116 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at Wells Fargo Center. The win helped the 76ers bounce back after back-to-back losses against the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics.
Philadelphia now holds a 20-29 record, placing them 11th in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Mavericks share the same 11th position in the Western Conference with a 26-25 record.
Joel Embiid Shines in Return As The Philadelphia 76ers Edge Out Mavericks
Despite not playing for an entire month, Embiid showed no signs of rust. He posted a triple-double with 29 points on 12-of-23 shooting, along with 11 rebounds and 10 assists. His return gives the 76ers a much-needed boost, as he has now won seven of his last eight games played. Embiid now holds the record for the most 25-point games by a center since 2000.
JOEL EMBIID TONIGHT:
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 5, 2025
29 POINTS
11 REBOUNDS
10 ASSISTS
52% FG pic.twitter.com/5udsdEfpL1
Tyrese Maxey was the leading scorer for Philadelphia, finishing with 33 points on 13-of-22 shooting. He also added 13 assists and four rebounds, marking his sixth consecutive game with at least 30 points. Josh Edwards finished with 16 points and two assists, while Gershon Yabusele added 19 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.
The Mavericks put up a strong fight, largely with Kyrie Irving, who delivered a game-high 34 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in 42 minutes. However, his performance was not enough to secure a win for Dallas in the closing moments of the game.
Naji Marshall added 19 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Max Christie added 15 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Dante Exum scored 14 points and four assists, and Daniel Gafford added 12 points and six rebounds in the loss.
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The Mavericks will look to bounce back when they take on the Boston Celtics on Thursday, while the 76ers will face the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
