LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 13: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks in front of Justin Anderson #1 during a 109-105 win over the LA Clippers at Staples Center on November 13, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid had one incredible night on Wednesday.
The 7-foot Cameroonian center scored a career-high 46 points to lift the Philadelphia 76ers to a 115-109 victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles.
Embiid also added 15 rebounds, seven assists and seven blocked shots in a contest between two teams with several talented youngsters. The 23-year-old — who missed his first two seasons due to injury — is now the first NBA player with 40 points, seven assists and seven blocks in a game since Julius Erving did it for the Sixers against Detroit in 1982, per ESPN Stats & Info.
”I was just playing basketball and being aggressive, just like I was against the Clippers,” said Embiid, who played 31 games last season and averaged 20.2 points in his NBA debut.
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Brandon Ingram led the Lakers with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Lakers rookie Kyle Kuzma added a career-best 24 points, and Jordan Clarkson scored 20 off the bench.
Nevertheless, Lonzo Ball spent the entire fourth quarter on the bench for the second straight game. The rookie point guard went 1 for 9 from the floor in 21 minutes of play and missed all six of his 3-point attempts. He finished with two points, five rebounds and two assists.
The Lakers (6-9, 11th in Western Conference) have lost four of five, while the Sixers (8-6, 7th in East) have won two straight.
Comedian Kevin Hart attended Wednesday’s game at Staples Center:
The Lakers next host Phoenix Friday in the second of four straight home games.
The Sixers will return home Saturday to play defending champions Golden State Warriors.
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 13: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks in front of Justin Anderson #1 during a 109-105 win over the LA Clippers at Staples Center on November 13, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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