A healthy Joel Embiid is a game-changer.
If anyone had any doubt about that during his 15-game absence due to swelling on his knee, he answered in his return against a shorthanded Dallas team on Tuesday night, scoring 29 points, including hitting the shot that proved to be the game-winner (he later hit a free throw to give us the final score, 118-116).
JOEL EMBIID FOR THE LEAD!!
— NBA (@NBA) February 5, 2025
HE GIVES THE 76ERS A 1-PT LEAD IN HIS RETURN.
22 seconds left on NBA League Pass! pic.twitter.com/tfc40vFVcW
Embiid showed no rust early, hitting his first three shots from the floor (one from the midrange) and ending with 18 in the first half.
For the game, Embiid finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 33 points, while Gabriel Yabusele had 19 points and 8 rebounds.
Maxey & Embiid did it ALL for the Sixers in a big victory!
— NBA (@NBA) February 5, 2025
Maxey: 33 PTS | 13 AST | 2 STL
Embiid: 29 PTS | 11 REB | 10 AST
The 3rd duo in 76ers history to have 25+ PTS & 10+ AST in the same game 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/byM3ZDCVkm
Kyrie Irving scored 34 points to lead the Mavericks, who were playing shorthanded because newly acquired Anthony Davis remains out with an abdominal strain. The newest Maverick, Max Christie, was 4-of-4 on 3-pointers and finished with 15 points off the bench.
