One intense NBA rivalry apparently came to an end ahead of the electrifying Philadelphia 76ers-Minnesota Timberwolves duel on Saturday night. The two teams clashed in a hard-fought match that saw Minnesota getting the W thanks to a clutch block from Anthony Edwards on Joel Embiid.
It was precisely Embiid’s first game after getting hit by COVID-19. The big man shared his happiness to be back, revealing he thought he couldn’t make it, as the disease was harder than he believed. Well, it’s good to have him back and everybody was happy to see him again on the court.
Everybody, including long-time nemesis Karl-Anthony Towns, shared good words for the Cameroonian after the game. Following the T-Wolves’ 121-120 win over the Sixers, the Dominican-American player made it clear he was content to see Embiid back.
“I told Embiid on the court as well, I am very happy that he’s come to the other side with COVID, because we have had our thing for a while, but that’s bigger than basketball, that’s bigger than what we have,” said Towns, via Sixers Wire. “I’ve seen it kill people and I’m glad that he is on the other side. I am very, very happy that he’s doing well and he’s coming out on the other side and that he is healthy and he is getting himself back into basketball.”
“No matter how we have felt about each other at times in the past I think he is a hell of a player,” Towns added. “I am happy that the NBA has him back because like I said I want to play against the best of the best and he is one of the best so it makes me have to play better and it gives me a challenge.”
In case you don’t remember, these two talented centers have a history together, even getting into an in-game fight a couple of years ago. Ever since that, whenever these two clashed, you knew the game would be interesting.
It was Embiid who took the first step to end their beef when he sent a message to KAT last year amid the hottest moment of the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s remember that Towns lost seven members to the disease, including his mother.
We’re with you brother!!! We’ll keep praying @KarlTowns
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) March 25, 2020
As Karl said, this is bigger than basketball and it’s good to see he’s on good terms with Embiid, one of his biggest rivals in the association. Despite not getting the victory, Joel balled out, finishing the game with 42 points and 14 rebounds in over 45 minutes. KAT 28 points and 10 rebounds for the Wolves, who tied their record at 10-10, ranking 7th in the Western Conference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pAZ7eM4UNc
