Embiid returns from brief injury scare to totally dominate in 2nd quarter

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It’s never dull with Joel Embiid.

The Sixers’ superstar big man continues to play at an MVP level and dropped 31 points in the first half Thursday night against the Blazers after heading back to the locker room in the first quarter with an injury scare.

Embiid appeared to hyperextend his right knee on an awkward landing after a chase-down block of an Enes Kanter layup midway through the first quarter. The Sixers called a timeout on the next possession. Embiid exited gingerly, grabbing his right knee and limping off the floor as the entire fanbase held its breath.

He returned to the sidelines after about three more minutes of game-time and was back in with 1:21 left in the first. 

In the second quarter, Embiid went off to keep the Sixers in the game, scoring 25 of their 29 points in a game tied at 57 at the half.

The 25 points tied Andrew Toney's mark from March of 1982 for the most by any Sixer in a quarter.

The 31 first-half points were one shy of Embiid's career-high.

Embiid is just on a totally different level this season. By halftime, it was already his eighth 30-point game in the 18 he’s played. He went 11 for 17 from the field and made all nine free throws in the first half.

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