Philadelphia, PA – Joel Embiid marked his return from an 11-day hiatus with a stellar performance, securing a triple-double of 31 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, guiding the Philadelphia 76ers to a decisive 110-97 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.
Embiid, showcasing his prowess, recorded his second triple-double of the season and the seventh of his career. Notably, he extended his remarkable streak of achieving at least 30 points and 10 rebounds to 14 consecutive games, achieving this feat in just three quarters of play.
Having missed the previous four games due to a sprained right ankle, Embiid’s return was a significant boost for the Sixers. Tyrese Maxey contributed 21 points and five assists, Tobias Harris added 20 points and eight rebounds, while Kelly Oubre Jr. chipped in with 16 points.
Despite being without key players like Nikola Vucevic, Zach LaVine, and Torrey Craig due to injuries, the short-handed Bulls displayed resilience. DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 16 points, while Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively. Andre Drummond notched a double-double with 11 points and 17 rebounds.
The Bulls faced adversity as Patrick Williams suffered a right ankle tweak early in the game and was ruled out at halftime. Additionally, Coby White left the game late in the third quarter with an apparent right ankle injury.
The Sixers dominated early, establishing a commanding 41-12 lead with 2:34 left in the first quarter. Philadelphia continued to press, leading 63-36 after Kelly Oubre Jr. sank a 3-pointer with 3:33 remaining in the second quarter.
Despite a spirited effort from the Bulls, who went on a 10-point run in the closing minutes, the Sixers’ early dominance secured the victory. Joel Embiid’s 22 points in the first half contributed significantly to Philadelphia’s 73-42 halftime lead.
The Bulls struggled from beyond the arc, missing their first 13 attempts before connecting. Philadelphia held a substantial 98-72 lead at the end of the third quarter, ultimately sealing the win and showcasing the Sixers’ dominance on their home court.
