Joel Embiid made a triumphant return to the court, delivering 31 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 108-100 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. Playing in just his fifth game this season, Embiid helped the Sixers improve to 7-15, earning their fourth win in five outings.
Tyrese Maxey recorded his first career triple-double with 25 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds, adding to Philadelphia’s balanced attack. Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. each chipped in 12 points, complementing Embiid’s dominant performance.
The Chicago Bulls, now 10-15, were led by Zach LaVine’s 30-point effort, while Nikola Vucevic and Coby White added 13 points apiece. Despite their strong start, the Bulls couldn’t sustain their early momentum and suffered their second consecutive loss.
Philadelphia overcame a slow first quarter, during which Embiid missed his first seven shots. The 2023 MVP found his rhythm in the second, scoring 19 points and leading a 16-0 run that put the Sixers ahead for good.
Chicago briefly regained momentum with a 13-1 run in the third quarter, cutting Philadelphia’s lead to single digits. The Bulls closed the gap to within four points twice in the final period, but the Sixers held firm behind timely scoring and solid defense.
For the Bulls, LaVine’s sharpshooting kept them within striking distance. Chicago’s bench also delivered solid contributions, with Jalen Smith adding 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting. However, the team’s struggles in the second quarter, where they shot just 25% from the field, proved costly.
The Sixers’ defense played a critical role, limiting the Bulls to 40.7% shooting overall and forcing 15 turnovers. Philadelphia also dominated on the boards, out-rebounding Chicago 56-35, with Embiid and Oubre combining for 22 rebounds.
