Joel Embiid puts Ben Simmons to shame in ‘crazy’ NBA first

Joel Embiid has gone supernova against the Utah Jazz, marking new ground in the game with a historic performance for the 76ers.

Embiid showing the world how to react. Photo: Todd Kirkland/Getty Images/AFP

It’s safe to say Joel Embiid is just fine not playing with Aussie Ben Simmons anymore.

The Cameroonian superstar has erupted for not only one of the performances of the season but one of the greatest individual performances in NBA history.

Watch an average of 9 LIVE NBA Regular Season games per week on ESPN on Kayo Sports on ESPN on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Embiid finished the Philadelphia 76ers’ 105-98 win over the high flying Utah Jazz with an astonishing 59 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and seven blocks, numbers the game have never seen before.

No player has ever had 50 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five blocks in a game before.

He is also the first player with 55 points and five blocks since blocks have been tracked, starting in 1973.

It’s also the first time someone has had as many points, rebounds and assists in a game since Wilt Chamberlain on January 28, 1964.

For the record, Embiid’s former teammate Ben Simmons has scored 47 points and five blocks — in nine games this season.

Even more astounding, it came after a 42 point, 10 rebound and six assist night against the Hawks a day earlier.

It made him the third player since 1988 to score 100+ points on a back-to-back.

Joel Embiid is not human. Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Ever the perfectionist, when interviewed after the game, he said “I feel great,” before Tyrese Maxey leapt on his back.

After a handshake, Embidd said: “I missed too many free throws”. Maxey replied: “Yeah, you suck,” before walking away.

Embiid: "I missed too many free throws"

Maxey: "Yeah you suck"

😂

(via @NBCSPhilly)pic.twitter.com/wTJsz8EHTF

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 14, 2022

For the record, Embiid was 20 from 24 from the line.

“I’ve never seen a more dominating performance, when you combine defence and offence,” 76ers coach Doc Rivers said after the game.

Maxey added: “Joel Embiid is very good at basketball. I mean, there’s nothing else I can really say about it. He’s just really good at basketball.”

Fellow teammate Mattisse Thybulle gushed: “It’s absurd. My friends were texting me after the game – it’s like a 2k stat line. It’s not one of those things you see in a real basketball game. It’s like when you pick one player on 2k & just do everything with them. It’s pretty ridiculous.”

Ever the perfectionist. Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

It’s hard to argue with that.

Social media erupted over the achievement.

Lakers reporter Ryan Ward wrote: “Embiid with the video game numbers”.

USA Today contributor Austin Krell tweeted: “Quite simply the performance of a lifetime. For all of his warts, Joel Embiid’s greatness should not be taken for granted. On Sunday, he made sure everyone appreciated just how good he is.”

Former AFL star Josh Jenkins posted: “I’m no #Embiid guy but 59, 11, 8, 7 is EXTRAORDINARY.”

Darius Garland won the race to 50. Photo: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/AFP

Although Embiid did have a historic night, he missed out on being the first player to have a 50-point game this season.

That honour went to Cleveland’s Darius Garland.

Garland barely beat Embiid to the first 50-point performance of the season as he became the fourth Cavaliers player to hit the half-century mark along with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Walt Wesley.

However it wasn’t enough in a 129-124 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Garland’s 10 three-pointers — six in the fourth quarter — were just the start as Garland dazzled with an array of agile jump shots and bullish drives to the basket.

“Special,” Cavs veteran Kevin Love said of Garland’s performance. “A masterclass by Darius that was just beautiful.” Cavs star Donovan Mitchell was cheering from the bench as he sat out with a sore ankle, but Garland’s career night wasn’t quite enough.

— with AFP