PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid tallied an impressive 34 points and dished out nine assists in a triumphant return to the court for the Philadelphia 76ers after sitting out a game due to a sinus fracture. This stellar performance by Embiid played a significant role in the Sixers’ 108-98 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night. Sporting a protective “Phantom of the Opera” mask, Embiid, welcomed with a deafening ovation, showcased his dominance on the court by contributing 22 points in the initial three quarters, guiding Philadelphia to their fourth win in the last five games. Despite holding a subpar record of 9-16, the Sixers have shown signs of improvement with a recent surge, positioning them within reach of a play-in tournament spot. Plagued by injuries this season, Embiid has been limited to just seven appearances primarily due to knee issues.
Vasilije Micic led the charge for the Hornets with 20 points, but it wasn’t enough to halt their losing streak, as they dropped their fourth consecutive game and suffered defeat for the 12th time in 13 outings. Charlotte opted to rest LaMelo Ball as they carefully manage his left calf injury, displaying caution with the budding star after his impressive 34-point, 13-assist performance in the previous game against Washington.
In addition to Embiid’s standout showing, Tyrese Maxey contributed 23 points, while Paul George chipped in with five points and 10 rebounds for the Sixers. The highly-touted trio of All-Stars – Embiid, Maxey, and George – started a game together for just the fourth time this season, showcasing their potential when all operating at full capacity.
The key moment in the matchup came in the first quarter when the 76ers exploded offensively, with Maxey draining four 3-pointers and the team shooting a scorching 56% from the field, propelling them to an early 18-point advantage. Kelly Oubre Jr. also made a significant impact for Philadelphia, adding 22 points to the team’s cause and teaming up with Maxey to knock down eight of the Sixers’ 12 total 3-pointers.
Looking ahead, Charlotte is set to host the Houston Rockets on Monday, while the 76ers will be in action on Saturday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The outcome of these upcoming games will play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of both teams as they navigate through the challenges of the NBA season.
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