NBA: Joel Embiid returns from ‘mentally’ challenging injury to help Philadelphia 76ers overcome Oklahoma City Thunder
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Updated 03/04/2024 at 09:51 GMT
Joel Embiid made a welcome return from a "mentally" challenging injury to help the Philadelphia 76ers overcome the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 30-year-old picked up 24 points, seven assists and six rebounds in a 109-105 triumph as the 76ers eye a return to the automatic play-off spots. Elsewhere, Nikola Jokic starred with 42 points in the Denver Nuggets' triumph against the San Antonio Spurs.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 02: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Wells Fargo Center on April 02, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ac
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Joel Embiid marked his return from a two-month injury absence with a game-winning performance in the Philadelphia 76ers' victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Cameroonian scored 24 points in a narrow 109-105 win, recording seven assists and six rebounds.
Embiid sustained a knee injury in a defeat at the Golden State Warriors at the end of January and described his time away from the court as "mentally" challenging.
"This one took a toll mentally," the 30-year-old said. "I just wanted to come back.
"I'm only going to get better but this one has been the hardest by far, especially mentally."
Embiid’s return will be a welcome sight for everyone involved with the 76ers after the team lost 18 of their 30 games while the player was absent.
Now he has returned, the Philadelphia side will look to return to the automatic play-off positions after dropping into the play-in places.
Nick Nurse's side currently have a 41-35 record in the Eastern Conference, while their latest opponents Thunder have already clinched a play-off place in the Western Conference with a record of 52-23.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic starred in the Denver Nuggets’ 110-105 triumph against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Serbian centre scored 42 points with six assists and 16 rebounds as the Nuggets rose to prominence in the Western division, overtaking the Thunder to claim first place.
The Nuggets, the Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who beat the Houston Rockets 113-106, have already secured a play-off place.
Golden State Warriors ended the Dallas Mavericks' seven-game winning run, beating Jason Kidd’s side 104-100 in San Francisco.
Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins made the difference, scoring a game-high 23 points as the hosts made it five wins in a row.
Elsewhere in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers comfortably beat the Toronto Raptors 128-111 to hand the Raptors their 14th-straight defeat, as D'Angelo Russell scored 25 points and LeBron James added 23.
Domantas Sabonis scored 22 points and 20 rebounds, as he extended his post-merger NBA record of 58 successive double-doubles in the Sacramento Kings' 109-95 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
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