Joel Embiid put up 30 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in just 23 minutes of play. Kelly Oubre Jr. also contributed with 17 points as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 116-96 on Saturday night. With this win, the 76ers are now just a half-game away from securing the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
Embiid’s performance was impressive, shooting 9 of 13 from the field and sinking both of his 3-point attempts. Coach Nick Nurse decided to rest him for the remainder of the game in the third quarter, given the comfortable lead the team held. This win marks the 76ers’ fourth consecutive victory.
Despite his solid performance, Embiid mentioned that he’s still adjusting to the pace of the game after returning from left knee meniscus surgery. He admitted feeling a bit rusty and not yet reaching his full potential.
On the other side, Scotty Pippen Jr. led the Grizzlies with 24 points, but they struggled to contain Embiid in the first half. The 76ers built a significant lead by halftime, and the Grizzlies couldn’t narrow the gap in the second half.
Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins acknowledged the effort from his team but lamented their inability to find offensive rhythm, especially with many players sidelined due to injuries. Meanwhile, Philadelphia is aiming to avoid the play-in games and is inching closer to securing a guaranteed playoff spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
