Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid set a new franchise record for most points scored in a single game. Afterwards, Kevin Durant said what everyone else was thinking.
The reigning NBA MVP is averaging an astonishing 36.1 points per game in the 2023-2024 regular season. On Monday night, Embiid nearly doubled that total vs. the San Antonio Spurs.
His 70 points rank No. 1 all-time for the Sixers, and ironically enough, this legendary performance came exactly 18 years after Kobe Bryant’s famous 81-point outburst vs. the Toronto Raptors.
Kevin Durant cannot believe what Joel Embiid did
Philadelphia emerged victorious in the contest, propelling the team to 29-13 for the year. While his teammates showed immense love following the game, Kevin Durant won the award for best reaction.
Kevin Durant's reaction to hearing Joel Embiid scored 70 points tonight🤯🎥 @NBApic.twitter.com/LzxwEIhtu8
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 23, 2024
Yes, Kevin, he had seventy! Surprisingly, Durant has never even touched 60 points in an NBA game. That shows how special of a night Embiid truly had.
A slew of other NBA players chimed in, from the likes of Pau Gasol and Kendrick Perkins to the king himself — LeBron James.
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70 PIECE NUGGET!!!! @JoelEmbiid 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🫡. CRAZY
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 23, 2024
Monday served as a “pinch me” moment for Embiid. He posted the first 70-point, 15-rebound, five-assist stat line in the league’s history.
After the game, the 29-year-old was blown away when announcers said Wilt Chamberlain never accomplished this feat.
"Wilt never did this?" 😯Joel Embiid was in disbelief the great Wilt Chamberlain never recorded 65 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a game. pic.twitter.com/reU9wEGDPM
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) January 23, 2024
On any other night, Karl Anthony-Towns would have been the center of NBA discussion. KAT went for a career-high 62 points in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
He deserves praise for his efforts, but unfortunately, Embiid stole the shine. Either way, it was a treat for NBA fans to see two unprecedented performances on the same night.
Next up for Embiid and the Sixers? A trip to Indianapolis on Thursday evening vs. a Pacers team that has dropped four of its last five games. What does Joel have in store for an encore?
