Philadelphia 76ers heart Joel Embiid argues with an official through the first half of an NBA basketball recreation in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. (AP Picture/Nell Redmond)
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Joel Embiid scored 42 factors and grabbed 15 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers handed the injury-depleted Charlotte Hornets their worst loss in franchise historical past, 135-82 on Saturday within the NBA.
Tyrese Maxey added 21 factors for the 76ers (18-7), who shot out rapidly when Embiid outscored the Hornets by himself within the first quarter, constructed a 29-point halftime lead and have been by no means challenged.
The 53-point drubbing topped the Hornets’ earlier largest loss, a 137-87 defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 10, 2000.
42 PTS | 15 REB | 3 AST | 2 BLK
simply one other evening for the large fella. @PALottery pic.twitter.com/Lyqhaqw1li
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 17, 2023
“I imply the general story of the sport could be extra guys who didn’t play, than the fellows that did,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford stated.
Charlotte performed with out three starters in LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward and Mark Williams, two key reserves in P.J. Washington and Cody Martin, after which misplaced high scorer Terry Rozier within the third quarter when he caught an elbow to the nostril.
Rozier, who averaged greater than 28 factors over the earlier seven outings, was by no means dominated out, however didn’t return to the sport. The harm isn’t believed to be critical and he didn’t want stitches.
Embiid set the tone early with 18 factors and 9 rebounds within the first quarter because the 76ers constructed a 33-17 lead en path to their sixth straight victory.
A fired-up Embiid scored at will on uncontested mid-range jumpers in opposition to Nick Richards, who allowed 10 straightforward factors earlier than heading to the bench together with his second foul 5 minutes into the sport.
Embiid stated he was upset initially of the sport due to a foul name that didn’t go his means. He used that as motivation the remainder of the sport.
“I used to be going to be aggressive anyway, however the truth that I didn’t get (the decision), I felt that I needed to go tougher and be extra aggressive,” Embiid stated.
Maxey hit 5 3-pointers within the second quarter and Embiid had 25 factors and 10 rebounds on the break because the 76ers prolonged their result in 73-44.
Embiid lastly exited the sport to chants of “MVP! MVP!” with 19.8 seconds left within the third quarter with the 76ers main by 41. Embiid, who was 18 of 23 from the sphere, didn’t play within the fourth quarter.
“When he simply brings the ball up the court docket and performs 1-on-1, there’s actually not a lot you are able to do,” Clifford stated. “He does it out of the stream. Facilities are having to do one thing they usually don’t need to do (on protection). I really feel like the one man like that in any respect could be (Nikola) Jokic.”
Sixers coach Nick Nurse stated he likes how Embiid is capturing the ball.
“I simply assume he’s simply actually feeling assured about it,” Nurse stated. “Clearly, I like the rhythm he’s taking it in. It hits his palms, it’s going up.”
Brandon Miller led the Hornets (7-17) with 14 factors regardless of capturing 4 of 16 from the ground.
The Hornets are on the skin of the playoff image trying in — and the street forward is simply going to get harder.
Over the following eight video games, Charlotte will face the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets twice, in addition to the Los Angeles Lakers, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings.
“We now have to get our guys again,” Clifford stated. “It is a brutal stretch, the following two weeks. There aren’t any straightforward weeks on this league, however when you take a look at the upcoming schedule it’s going to be arduous. And we’re unsure when these guys will come again.”
The 76ers, who’re tied for second place within the East, have a a lot simpler schedule over the rest of the calendar 12 months and an opportunity to maneuver up within the standings.
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76ers: Host Chicago on Monday evening.
Hornets: At Toronto on Monday evening.