Joel Embiid scores 50 as 76ers knock off Wizards

Field Level Media|published: Wed 6th December, 21:47 2023

Dec 6, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) is fouled by Washington Wizards center Daniel Gafford (21) in the second quarter at Capital One Arena. credits: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Embiid had 50 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists to lift the Philadelphia 76ers past the host Washington Wizards 131-126 on Wednesday.

Embiid, who missed the last two games with an illness, scored at least 50 points in a game for the sixth time in his career. He hit two free throws and a 15-foot jump shot in the final 49.6 seconds to secure the victory.

Tyrese Maxey added 26 points, De'Anthony Melton scored 19 and Kelly Oubre Jr. had 12 in his first game since Nov. 11 after suffering a broken rib and other undisclosed injuries.

The 76ers had lost two in a row.

Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 23 points, Tyus Jones added 20 and Daniel Gafford netted 18 before fouling out with 1:58 left. Kyle Kuzma and Corey Kispert scored 16 apiece.

Washington hung around and trailed 129-126 when Danilo Gallinari hit a 3-pointer with 6.9 seconds remaining.

But Melton came back with two free throws to seal the win.

Oubre dropped in a 3-pointer from the corner for a 109-102 lead with 6:21 left in the fourth quarter.

Gafford grabbed an offensive rebound and dunked with 5:23 remaining to cut the deficit to 110-106.

Kuzma put the Wizards ahead 50-40 with a runner in the lane with 4:52 left in the second.

Melton hit a layup to cap an 11-0 run with 3:09 left to give the Sixers a one-point lead.

The Wizards shot 54.9 percent from the field and led 62-60 at halftime. Nine Washinton players scored but no one reached double figures.

Embiid scored 26 points in the half for the Sixers, who closed within two when Maxey knocked down a halfcourt shot at the buzzer. Philadelphia shot just 2-of-16 from 3-point territory in the half.

Gafford threw down a thunderous two-handed dunk with 6:36 left in the third for a 79-78 Washington advantage.

Embiid was whistled for a technical foul with 2:36 remaining for arguing a foul, and Gallinari hit the technical free throw to put the Wizards ahead 95-89.

But the Sixers responded with a 10-0 run to close the third with a 99-95 lead.

—Field Level Media

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