Joel Embiid returned to the starting lineup after a five-game hiatus to a lights-out performance. Embiid had missed the last five games due to a shoulder sprain that he suffered against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 26.
After Wednesday night’s game against the Pistons, it is safe to say that Embiid looks back to full health. Embiid was in All-Star form with a 30-point, 14-rebound performance in a 124-106 Sixers win. Embiid amassed those stats while shooting nine of 17 from the field, knocking down two three-pointers and going 10-for-12 from the free-throw line. Among those stats, the free-throw line is the most promising as it shows that Embiid is healthy enough to be aggressive in the paint which is when he is at his best.
All was not positive, though, as the NBA has officially suspended play while they deal with the handling of the coronavirus after learning that Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus. The near future of the league is very much a question mark at this point as we look for more details from the league office.
Fellow starter Josh Richardson returned to the lineup after a three-game absence due to a concussion he suffered last Sunday against the Clippers. Richardson’s return was unfortunately lackluster, only scoring eight points on two of six shooting from the field.
Other big factors in Philadelphia’s win was Al Horford’s 20-point, 10-rebound performance, and Tobias Harris adding 15 points and seven rebounds of his own.