Joel Embiid marked his return from injury with an impressive triple-double, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 110-97 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night. Embiid, who had missed the previous four games with a sprained right ankle, showcased his MVP-caliber skills by racking up 31 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Tyrese Maxey also played a key role in the victory, scoring 21 points. The win was a significant turnaround from the Sixers’ recent 105-92 loss to the Bulls in Chicago, a game that saw Philadelphia struggle in the second half without Embiid.
The Sixers, buoyed by Embiid’s return, dominated the game early, racing to a 43-18 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Bulls, missing injured guard Zach LaVine and center Nikola Vucevic, couldn’t find their rhythm, especially from beyond the arc, where they missed all 10 of their attempts in the first quarter.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 16 points, while Andre Drummond contributed 11 points and 17 rebounds. The Bulls, however, couldn’t overcome the absence of key players, including LaVine, who is expected to return as early as Friday.
The 76ers have been formidable at home, consistently building substantial leads and maintaining them, a trend evident in their recent routs over other NBA teams. This strategy has allowed stars like Embiid to rest in the later stages of games, preserving their energy and health.
Embiid’s performance was particularly notable given his recent ankle injury. He achieved his seventh career triple-double by the third quarter and extended his franchise records with 15 consecutive 30-point games and 14 straight games of scoring at least 30 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Looking ahead, the Bulls will travel to New York to face the Knicks on Wednesday, while the 76ers will host the Knicks on Friday.
Embiid’s presence and performance against the Bulls underscore his crucial role in the 76ers’ success, as the team continues to be a strong contender in the league with him on the court.
