After years of subpar playoff performances, the Philadelphia 76ers entered Game 3 with a chip on their shoulder and a whole lot to prove.
It might just be round one, but the team has come out with intense energy, and Saturday was no different.
The story of the night, however, was Joel Embiid, who dropped a playoff career-high 36 points en-route to the blowout victory over the Wizards.
Joel Embiid’s playoff career-high 36 PTS leads 76ers to 3-0 series lead 😤 pic.twitter.com/vjrbjHqcFa
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 30, 2021
On Twitter, fans reacted to the performance, clearly impressed with what Philly has been doing so far.
Joel Embiid just shut down the Verizon Center.
Sit down. pic.twitter.com/Ndt6mLixEJ
— The Phifth Quarter (@The_PhifthQ) May 30, 2021
The Wizards trying to stop Joel Embiid. pic.twitter.com/k5X53cApqb
— At The Buzzer (@AtTheBuzzer1) May 30, 2021
Joel Embiid successfully hyping up the crowd on the road is all-time hilarious
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) May 30, 2021
The mastery of Joel Embiid.
1) scans court, recognizes double coming but it’s too far away, gets up an in-rhythm fadeaway to avoid.
2) very next play: scans court, recognizes imminent double-team defender is now cheating too close to him, the pass, cash. pic.twitter.com/7UW84LGO1U
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 30, 2021
How Joel Embiid doing the Wizards:#Sixers #Wizards pic.twitter.com/xvjIyO4RB9
— Jay Shah (@TheJayShah3) May 30, 2021
is bam still better than embiid? asking for a friend @espn
— kos (@kostancaaa__) May 29, 2021
Embiid has looked amazing so far in the playoffs… he might be able to pull off one of the most statistical dominant post-season runs you might ever see
— LegendOfWinning (@LegendOfWinning) May 30, 2021
Embiid putting an end to the Wizards’ hopes and dreams tonight. pic.twitter.com/hqRIxPcQBN
— CogginToboggan (@CogginToboggan) May 29, 2021
Everybody is aware of what Embiid is capable of. As one of the best two-way players in the game, he dominates both ends of the floor in an amazing way.
But this season, he has been extra special. With averages of 28.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game on 51% shooting, he was an MVP candidate almost all season long until an injury kept him on the sidelines for weeks.
Now that he’s healthy, there is really nothing stopping him from having his way on the basketball court, especially against a Wizards team that doesn’t have anybody to throw at him.
If the Sixers close this out, they’ll be facing a matchup against the Knicks or Hawks in the second round, and then the Bucks or Nets in the Conference Finals.
It won’t be an easy road, but they’re certainly off to a good start.
