Eye-popping stats from Embiid's Magical performance

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Jan 19, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives for a dunk against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday night was one for the record books for Joel Hans Embiid. He tied a career high with 50 points, added 12 rebounds and three blocks, helping the Sixers earn a 123-110 win over the Orlando Magic. 

How amazing was Embiid’s night? Let’s count the ways.

This was Embiid’s second career game with 50 points and 12 rebounds. The only other 76ers player to do that in a game even once in the last 40 seasons is Hall of Famer Moses Malone, who had 51 points, 17 rebounds in a 137-133 overtime loss to the Pistons on November 14, 1984

Joel Embiid scored 20 points in the first quarter, a measly four points in the second, 23 in the third, and three points in the 58 seconds he played in the fourth. He’s the first player to score 20 or more in two separate quarters since Steph Curry did so (24 in the first, 22 in the third) against the Thunder on May 8, 2021.

50 and 12 boards is special. Throw in three blocks, and you’re in rarified air. That’s only been done a dozen times in the last 40 seasons, and Embiid has done it twice! Anthony Davis of the Lakers has turned the trick two times as well. Among the others to do so: Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, and Kevin McHale, and future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki.

Perhaps the most astounding part of Embiid’s performance was his efficiency. 50 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks… in 27 minutes and three seconds of playing time. That’s insane. In the time it takes to wrap up a sitcom, Embiid dropped a half a hundred, plus some other stuff.

Our friends at Sportradar keep minutes played stats going back 40 seasons. The only player to score 50 in a game in fewer minutes than Embiid did was Klay Thompson, who scored 52 in 26:33 against the Bulls, October 29, 2018.

And the Big Fellas joins Wilt Chamberlain (11) and Allen Iverson (10) as the only players in 76ers franchise history with multiple career 50-point games.

By the way – if you’re the betting type, this would be a decent time to get decent Embiid MVP odds. They won’t be this good for long if he has a couple more games like this.

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