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Joel Embiid started it, and Paul George finished it: a 157-point inferno, the Philadelphia 76ers’ highest single-game scoring output since they put up 159 against the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 15, 1970.
Embiid and George both returned to the floor Wednesday and combined for 63 points — the most they’ve amassed together in one contest — in a 157-137 victory over the Chicago Bulls.
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Embiid was back after missing the previous 13 games with a right oblique strain. George was in the fold again after serving a 25-game suspension without pay for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program.
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Embiid accounted for 12 of the first 14 points Philadelphia (40-33) tallied and was singlehandedly outscoring the Bulls (29-43) midway through the opening frame. He stacked 23 first-half points and closed with 35. Meanwhile, 13 of George’s 28 points came in the fourth quarter.
It took George a bit to shake off the rust he expected in the wake of a lengthy midseason absence that stemmed from him taking a banned substance to accommodate for what he described Tuesday as a mental health issue related to the pressure of the physical limitations he was facing.
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George went a mere 2-of-10 from the field in the first half. He ended his scoring drought by using a jab step to get by Giddey on a baseline drive, which set up a shot at the rim.
He was in search of his jumper most of the opening two quarters, though.
The nine-time All-Star forward finally hit a 3-pointer before halftime. Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe located George on the right wing, and the 35-year-old knocked down a much-needed triple.
Edgecombe came into the matchup having scored at least 35 points in two of his past three outings. He wound up with 22 against the Bulls. He and Embiid combined for 26 in the first quarter, matching Chicago’s total scoring output in that frame.
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The Bulls quietly poured in 53 points in the fourth quarter. They were led by Josh Giddey’s 23 points, 12 assists and 9 rebounds.
Embiid wasn’t just shooting the ball well. He also made an impact on the defensive end, notably…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/breaking-news/article/joel-embiid-paul-george-combine-for-63-in-first-game-back-as-sixers-score-most-points-in-56-years-in-win-over-bulls-013746794.html
Author : Andy Backstrom
Publish date : 2026-03-26 01:37:00
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