Amid the Philadelphia 76ers’ now-snapped three-game losing streak, fans debated whether Joel Embiid could fit on a team aspiring to play a faster, free-flowing offense. The nine-time all-star silenced the narrative, at least for the moment.
Embiid tied Tyrese Maxey as Philadelphia’s leading scorer, contributing 34 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in its 139-136 win against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on Tuesday night. He appeared sprier than usual, but most importantly, gelled in a 76ers offense that has grown accustomed to his limited availability.
Philadelphia's use of Embiid in more pick-and-roll actions rather than methodical post-ups unlocked his full scoring arsenal. VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes forced Memphis to overly commit when striking off the bounce using Embiid’s screens. From there, they made the correct read: dishing it to the center at the three-point line. Embiid either attempted a spot-up three or used the extra space to step into a pull-up shot within the arc.
That chemistry was most evident with Maxey, however.
Embiid and Maxey each tallied 34 points, which was the first time this season that the duo each eclipsed 30 points in the same game; a rare occasion where numbers do tell the full story. The two-man game that they spent the last six years perfecting was on full display. Serving as a playmaking hub, Embiid created many three-point opportunities for Maxey, who zig-zagged off the ball to create space for himself. Their combination of pick-and-rolls and handoffs yielded Embiid high-percentage attempts around the nail too.
Maxey chipped in a game-high 12 assists, six of which went to Embiid, who used them to score 13 points. Meanwhile, four of the center’s eight assists created nine points for the one-time all-star. With just under six minutes left in the first half, Maxey initiated a handoff action with Embiid, where he passed it back to the guard with a between-the-legs pass–a perfect reflection of their cohesion last night.
It’s difficult to mention Embiid’s playmaking without discussing Dominick Barlow. The 22-year-old has provided the 76ers with everything they could ask for at power forward, from athleticism to rebounding. But Embiid’s gravity tapped into Barlow’s offensive potential, as he assisted on six of the forward’s 12 points. Embiid routinely drew two defenders, opening a series of cutting lanes which Barlow exploited time and time again.
It would be overreactionary to claim that the 2022-23 Most Valuable Player has returned to form. But, his fit within Philadelphia’s offense yesterday should be cause for some optimism. Embiid nicely executed a ton of quick-hitting actions that maintained the 76ers’ desired tempo and flow. All the while, he remained an effective force in the post, providing stability if Philadelphia's first or second actions resulted in little. Embiid and the 76ers must build on this, but above all, they must hope he can stay on the floor to do so.