Joel Embiid erupts for 70 points to beat Victor Wembanyama, Spurs

Anthony Valmoria
Jan 23 2024

Joel Embiid churned out a career-best 70 points against highly touted rookie Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 133-123 win on Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center in downtown Philadelphia. 

Embiid only played 36:38 — the fewest minutes ever in a 70-point performance. He became just the ninth player in NBA history to score 70 points in a single game.

The 7-foot, 280-pound center joined Michael Jordan as the only players to record 65+ points, 15+ rebounds and 5+ assists in a game. With his final stat line, he became the only player in NBA history with 70 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists. 

The reigning NBA MVP had himself a night, going 23-of-41 from the field and 21-of-23 from the free-throw line. The Spurs had no answer for Embiid all night long, as he surpassed the Sixers' single-game scoring record of 68 points set by Wilt Chamberlain.

Embiid, who extended his streak of scoring 30 points or more to 21 games. Thanks to Embiid’s recent play, Philadelphia has won six straight games and are just half a game behind the Milwaukee Bucks for second place in the Eastern Conference.

For San Antonio, the rookie sensation Wembanyama had 33 points of his own to go along with 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. He had his fifth-straight game of 20 points or more and continues to build his Rookie-of-the-Year case despite the Spurs’ dreadful 8-35 record, which is last in the Western Conference.