Joel Embiid, at 60 % well being, is probably going higher than 95 % of his friends within the NBA.
Regardless of being hobbled with a decrease leg harm, the Sixers star dropped 50 factors throughout his staff’s 125-114 Recreation 3 win over the Knicks on Thursday. By requiring solely 19 photographs to succeed in his playoff profession excessive, Embiid made some NBA postseason historical past at Wells Fargo Heart.
How does a participant register 50 factors in lower than 20 shot makes an attempt?
The plain reply can be that Embiid benefited from being despatched to the free-throw line 21 instances.
Nonetheless, those that paid shut consideration know that Embiid earned his factors by making a collection of robust photographs in opposition to a stifling Knicks protection. The large man went 10-of-16 on contested photographs and 8-of-10 within the second half with a mean FGA distance of 19.8 toes.
Embiid’s shot chart was the largest indicator of his compromised well being. He tried solely three photographs within the restricted space and needed to resort to mid-range jumpers for a lot of the night time. A wholesome Embiid would have aggressively caught the ball within the low submit and gone to work.
That he scored 50 factors regardless of being hobbled is solely exceptional.
“He is on the market combating his tail off, he isn’t 100%,” Tyrese Maxey stated of his teammate. “He is going on the market giving his all each offensively and defensively. We admire him for that.”
Embiid, who’s additionally been battling a light case of Bell’s palsy, gave perception into his mindset after Recreation 3.
“I am not a quitter,” Embiid informed reporters. “I gotta maintain pushing, combating and placing my physique on the road. I can not sit again and really feel sorry for myself.”
Regardless of his limitations, Embiid averaged 31.5 factors by way of the primary two video games, albeit 20-of-51 from the sector. The silver lining for Philadelphia is that his effectivity took an enormous uptick in Recreation 3.
If Embiid’s effectivity continues to development up, we might be in for a protracted collection.
