Joel Embiid Returns, Scores 27 in Blowout Win Over Pacers

Joel Embiid’s return couldn’t have come at a better time. In his first game back since February 7, Embiid scored 27 points in 26 minutes in Indiana to lead a 135-114 win over the Pacers, snapping their four-game losing streak and steadying their playoff push.

The 76ers sit in 6th place in the East, 2.5 games behind the Raptors, holding a 1-game lead over two play-in candidates in the Magic and Heat. With just 25 games remaining, every minute matters when it comes to the 76ers and their seeding in the playoffs.

From the start, the 76ers had the advantage when it came to the talent on the court, as they trotted out their typical five of Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr., Dominick Barlow, and Embiid to match up against a Pacers team that was without Ivica Zubac, Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, and Tyrese Haliburton.

Immediately in the 1st quarter, it became clear that this was going to be a high-scoring match, as both teams shared blows. The Pacers, without much of their normal lineup, ended up holding the lead heading into the 2nd quarter, with players such as Micah Potter, Kam Jones, and Ben Sheppard all having one of the best games of their season thus far.

As the 2nd quarter started, the 76ers found their groove, allowing 11 fewer points from the 1st quarter while scoring 15 more. Heading into halftime, the 76ers held a 75-65 lead with Embiid and Maxey combining for 39 in just the 2 quarters. Alongside this were the stellar first halves from Edgecombe, who scored 14, and Quentin Grimes, scoring 11 off the bench.

The 3rd quarter offered much of the same for the 76ers, as they boosted their 10-point lead all the way to 21. Maxey, Embiid, and Edgecombe all continued their dominance, combining for about 75 through just 36 minutes. With them, Grimes and Oubre also scored 12 apiece, and together, defensively, the 76ers held the Pacers to just 20 points during the 3rd quarter. It was a complete turnaround from what we typically see out of halftime from the Sixers.

The Sixers closed it out keepign their foot on the gas with a 21-point victory. With Maxey scoring 32, Edgecombe scoring 23 with stunning efficiency, and Embiid getting 27, this game showed off the ability of a healthy 76ers squad. This game, both Maxey and Embiid’s impact was felt for every second of the 48 minutes of regulation in this game. Maxey, with nearly a 32-point triple-double, showed off his All-Star starter skills and combined well with the standout rising star Edgecombe.

Embiid, on the other hand, is the real talking point coming out of this game. Embiid missed the last 5 games with right shin soreness and right knee injury management, and returned dropping 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in just 26 minutes. Embiid displayed how quickly he can tilt a game tonight. When Embiid is on the court, the 76ers are now 20-12. Without him, they are 12-14 and look like a completely different team.

The Sixers return home for the first time since the break on Thursday night, hosting the Miami Heat.

Isaac Baranski

Isaac is a high-school senior who currently attends the Hun School of Princeton. In his free time, he has many interests, but most of all is his love for Philadelphia sports. He has watched the 76ers since the days of Sam Hinkie and hopes to watch the process be completed. He has also watched the Phillies since the days of Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and the great crew, and hopes to see Red October finally achieve its goal. Along with that, he picked up a love for the Philadelphia Union shortly before the pandemic, and has seen them win multiple Supporters’ Shields in person. Lastly, and most importantly, he is a major football lover and an even bigger Eagles lover. Since developing his love for The Birds in elementary school, he has made it his goal to never miss a game.

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