NEW YORK – It took more than two months, but Joel Embiid made his first dunk of the season and that was it Philadelphia 76ers' 130-119 victory over New York Knicks on Saturday evening.
With the win, Philadelphia (19-14) moved five games above .500 for the first time this season.
“It was whatever,” said Embiid, who had 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. “It was easy. I’d like it to be behind the shield… That’s the next step.”
Towards the end of the lopsided victory, Embiid got the ball under the basket for a transition dunk, which became the final point of the game. Embiid and his teammates responded to the dunk with a playful celebration.
Rookie Vijay Edgecombewho also scored 26 points, jokingly said Embiid “actually went up a little bit” on the dunk.
“I was so happy,” said Tyrese Maxeywho led the 76ers with 36 points in his final stellar performance of the season. “So now it's my fault because last game I threw him a pass thinking he wasn't going to do it. Now he's telling me to throw a punch at him. So, I’m going to throw it at him and we’ll see how it goes.”
“You could see he wanted it,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said before laughing. “I think it was a pretty cheap way to get it. But at least we know he can still dunk and he can check that off his list.”
It was an indication of the playful mood in the 76ers' locker room after Philadelphia ended a 10-day road trip with its third straight win.
The Knicks (23-12) were playing for the second night of a back-to-back after losing at home to Atlanta on Friday night, but using that as an excuse for Saturday's loss could understate Philadelphia's performance.
The win was a reminder of the Sixers' potential when they're at their best. They could come close because Kelly Oubre Jr.. (knee) and Trendon Watford (oblique) continue to rehabilitate their injuries.
“I think the biggest difference is that we just feel better as a unit.” Paul George said. “We trust this team's process. And I think after just a year on your team, you naturally develop a camaraderie, and I think that sticks. I think it's safe to say to everyone in this dressing room that we're starting to enjoy the game. We start to enjoy being on the court, playing both sides.
The next few weeks could be crucial for the Sixers, who will play 11 of their next 15 games at home. The team hasn't enjoyed this level of health and continuity in years.
That's especially true for Embiid, who has begun to get into a rhythm on the court, scoring at least 20 points in eight straight games. He also seems to be returning to his old self away from court.
When asked how he felt about returning to Madison Square Garden for the first time since Philadelphia's Game 5 loss to New York in the first round of the playoffs in 2024, Embiid responded: “I love being here. This is my favorite place in the whole world, New York… it's always nice to be here and talk to the fans. Today they were quiet… I think that's what happens when you lose the whole game.”
“But it’s always fun to go back and forth with them, which is good. Sometimes it's good to be loved. Sometimes it's good to be hated.”
What's more important for Embiid and the Sixers is that they are once again relevant in the Eastern Conference after last season's failures. Saturday's win moved them a half game out of fourth place in the wide-open East.
“We have a long way to go,” said the Nurse. “I told you at the beginning of the season that we were in a big hole that we needed to dig out of, and we are still digging. There’s good fitness, rhythm, health can get a little better and we just keep building on that.”
