Gregg Popovich may have accidentally fueled Joel Embiid’s 70-point game
Feb 8, 2020; Sacramento, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich on the sideline against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich might have poked the bear before his team’s Monday night matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. The bear’s name? Joel Hans Embiid.
Embiid set a Sixers franchise single-game record with 70 points in a 133-123 win over the Spurs at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
On the anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game, the reigning league MVP poured in 59 points through three quarters. The game stayed close enough that Embiid remained in the contest up until the final minute.
Before the game, Popovich humorously threatened that the Spurs would “hammer” Embiid.
“We are going to hammer his a–,” said the Spurs coach (profanity edited by LBS). “I told [Victor Wembanyama] to stick him, put your butt right in his stomach, back him down over the rim and just throw him through the rim. That’s what you can look forward to … Don’t tell Wemby I said that.”
Spurs HC Greg Popovich on Joel Embiid tonight
“We are going to hammer his (bleep). I told Wemby to stick him, put your butt right in his stomach, back him down over the rim and just throw him through the rim. That’s what you can look forward to … Don’t tell Wemby I said that” pic.twitter.com/wYSgylerqc
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) January 23, 2024
Greg Popovich really said this and then Joel Embiid proceeded to drop 70 POINTS pic.twitter.com/YWCkNuycxk
— 𝐉𝐚𝐤𝐞 (@SixthManJake) January 23, 2024
Popovich was clearly joking. But Embiid wasn’t kidding around when he lit the Spurs up for 24 points in the first quarter alone.
They can send the triple team all they want but it DOES. NOT. MATTER. 😤
Joel Embiid with the acrobatic shot for two of his 24 first quarter points. pic.twitter.com/euUTqWnPtj
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) January 23, 2024
Popovich’s actual answer about his team’s game plan against Embiid was much more respectful. But of course, the Spurs coach’s other incendiary message is what ended up trending on social media.
“I don’t think it matters what we do [about Embiid]. I can give you some bull—t if you want,” Popovich said, via The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov.
The Spurs trailed by as many as 19 points in the contest. San Antonio was able to cut the deficit to single digits with over 3 minutes left in the contest, but Embiid’s scoring was just too much to overcome.
