Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is one of the greatest scorers of all time. But even he was mesmerized by what Joel Embiid did on Monday night.
The Philadelphia 76ers center dropped 70 points to surpass Wilt Chamberlain for the single-game scoring record in franchise history. Wilt’s record of 68 points in a Sixers uniform had previously stood since 1967.
Durant and the Suns were also in action on Monday night against the Chicago Bulls. The 35-year-old only found out about Embiid’s scoring binge when asked about it by reporters during his postgame press conference. KD’s face said it all.
“70? He had 70?” Durant said in disbelief.
KD couldn't believe Embiid dropped 70 tonight 🤣 pic.twitter.com/14S9ZY2whT
— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2024
Embiid lit up the Spurs with 59 points through three quarters. San Antonio kept the game close enough for the reigning MVP to play up until the final minute and pad his point total.
Embiid went 24/41 from the field and 21/23 from the free throw line to complete his 70-point masterpiece. Perhaps the Sixers star was motivated by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich’s humorous threat before tipoff.
AN HISTORIC 70-POINT NIGHT FOR JOEL EMBIID 👏
✅ 76ers franchise record
✅ 9th player in NBA history to score 70+
✅ A new career high70 PTS, 18 REB, 24/41 FGM, 21/23 FTM pic.twitter.com/gDKY2E9bVA
— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2024
Durant didn’t have a bad night himself. The Suns forward tallied 43 points including the game-winner to beat the Bulls 115-113 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Ariz.
KD GIVES THE SUNS THE LEAD WITH 1.6 SECONDS LEFT 😱
Bulls-Suns | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/MswQx2n5VZ pic.twitter.com/hmidxuvhLI— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2024
Durant’s 43 points would be the headline on most other nights. But on Monday, Embiid had that many points with 8:27 left in the third quarter.
Even Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 62 points on Monday, eclipsed Durant’s 43 by halftime. But unlike Durant and Embiid, KAT and the T-wolves were ripped apart by their head coach after the game.
