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 workforce’s 125-114 Game 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 Middle.
How does a participant register 50 factors in lower than 20 shot makes an attempt?
The apparent reply can be that Embiid benefited from being sent to the free-throw line 21 times.
Nonetheless, those that paid shut consideration know that Embiid earned his factors by making a sequence of robust photographs towards a stifling Knicks protection. The massive 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 put up and gone to work.
That he scored 50 factors regardless of being hobbled is just outstanding.
“He is on the market combating his tail off, he isn’t 100%,” Tyrese Maxey said of his teammate. “He is going on the market giving his all each offensively and defensively. We recognize him for that.”
Embiid, who’s additionally been battling a mild case of Bell’s palsy, gave perception into his mindset after Sport 3.
“I am not a quitter,” Embiid told reporters. “I gotta hold pushing, combating and placing my physique on the road. I am unable to 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 sphere. The silver lining for Philadelphia is that his effectivity took an enormous uptick in Sport 3.
If Embiid’s effectivity continues to pattern up, we may very well be in for an extended sequence.
