Joel Embiid scores 24 points in his return from knee surgery. Sixers top Thunder 109-105

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid put Philadelphia forward with 4 free throws within the closing 40 seconds and completed with 24 factors in his first recreation in 9 weeks following knee surgical procedure, main the 76ers to a 109-105 win over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Tuesday evening.

Embiid added seven assists and 6 rebounds in almost half-hour — however most vital, he introduced the boldness that the Sixers can salvage their season and make a postseason run with final season’s MVP within the lineup.

Embiid was congratulated by Corridor of Famer Allen Iverson after the sport.

“I assumed I used to be fairly dangerous,” Embiid stated. “I simply perceive. Often after I come again from this stuff, I feel 30, 40 (factors), no matter it takes to get the win. This time, it’s a bit of totally different. It’s going to take me some time to get again to myself and actually belief myself. So long as we win, I feel my largest affect is simply being on the market defensively.”

Chet Holmgren scored 22 factors to steer the Thunder, who fell one-half recreation behind Denver for the highest spot within the Western Convention. Minnesota moved right into a tie with Oklahoma Metropolis.

The Sixers trailed by 11 factors with 7:27 left earlier than they went on a torrid run. Kelly Oubre Jr. hit a 3 that acquired the comeback rolling, and Embiid capped it off with a sequence of free throws. Embiid hit two for a 106-105 lead and added two extra that made it 108-105. He made all 12 foul pictures on the evening.

Embiid sat exhausted on the scorer’s desk as the ultimate seconds ticked off earlier than he sauntered over to Iverson.

Oubre scored 25 factors and Tobias Harris had 18.

Embiid was injured on Jan. 30 at Golden State. He had meniscus surgical procedure on his left knee every week later, and the Sixers crashed within the East standings with out him. They’re at present eighth, 1 1/2 video games behind Miami.

With a wholesome Embiid, the 76ers at the very least have a greater probability to win a sequence or two within the playoffs.

“He alters them considerably,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault stated. “They play so much totally different stylistically when he’s in to the place they’ve been recently within the final 30 video games he’s been out or so. When he performs, it actually adjustments their strategy.”

The Thunder couldn’t maintain on within the fourth with All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out for the third time in 4 video games with a quad damage. Jalen Williams (ankle) additionally sat out for the Thunder. All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey (hip) was inactive for the 76ers.

Sixers coach Nick Nurse was impressed by the state of the Thunder, largely due to Gilgeous-Alexander’s play.

“I feel they’ve acquired a whole lot of stuff,” Nurse stated. “They’ve acquired an unbelievable famous person who’s pretty much as good as anyone within the league. They’ve acquired another rising superstars which might be superb gamers. They play a system that they’re all in tune with.”

UP NEXT

Thunder: At Boston on Wednesday.

76ers: At Miami on Thursday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

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