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Tim Bontemps, ESPN
PHILADELPHIA – Joel Embiid surpassed Wilt Chamberlain with 70 points to set a single-game scoring record to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 133-123 win over the San Antonio Spurs and rookie Victor Wembanyama on Monday at the Wells Fargo Center. .
Embiid’s final streak — 70 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists — was the most in NBA history, according to ESPN Stats & Information Research. In addition to setting new personal and franchise records for most points in a single game this season, Embiid surpassed Milwaukee Bucks big man Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 64 points against the Indiana Pacers.
Embiid broke his team record with a coast-to-coast drive in the fourth quarter, scoring 24 points in the first quarter, 34 points in the first half and matching his career high of 59 points. — sat last year against the Utah Jazz — after completing his third step-back 3-pointer in three quarters.
At that point, the only question left was whether Embiid would return in the fourth or spend the final 12 minutes on the bench — as he has spent most of this season in blowouts.
However, San Antonio hung around, led by Wembanyama’s 33-point, seven-rebound lead and Embiid’s comeback win with 6:38 to go in the contest, leading to a big cheer.
Embiid was immediately fouled by Jeremy Sochan on his first offensive possession of the quarter. The crowd was desperate to see the NBA’s reigning MVP make history — fans booed Embiid’s teammate Daniel House Jr. when House hit a corner 3-pointer midway through the quarter.
In the end, Embiid tied Chamberlain’s previous franchise-record 68 points with a pair of free throws with 1:57 left before the coast-to-coast rally broke the record. He played 36 minutes and 38 seconds.
Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich’s pregame news conference was a prophetic performance.
Asked if Sochan Wembaniaman could help guard Embiid, the Spurs coach said simply: “I don’t think it matters what we do.”