Joel Embiid returned in spectacular fashion, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 108-98 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night. Embiid, wearing a protective mask after recovering from a sinus fracture, dropped 34 points and dished out nine assists to propel Philadelphia to its fourth win in five games.
The former MVP made his presence felt early, scoring 22 points in the first three quarters. His dominant performance helped the 76ers (9-16) gain momentum as they inch closer to a potential play-in berth despite their underwhelming start to the season.
Tyrese Maxey added 23 points, hitting four three-pointers in the opening quarter as the 76ers surged to an 18-point lead. Kelly Oubre Jr. chipped in with 22 points, including four three-pointers, as Philadelphia shot 36.4% from beyond the arc.
Philadelphia’s defense also stepped up, forcing 17 turnovers and holding Charlotte to 32.3% shooting from three-point range. Paul George contributed five points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists in just his fourth start this season alongside Embiid and Maxey.
The Hornets, who were without LaMelo Ball due to a calf injury, struggled to keep up. Vasilije Micic led Charlotte with 20 points, while Miles Bridges added 15 points and seven rebounds. Charlotte has now lost 12 of its last 13 games, falling to 7-21 on the season.
Charlotte’s bench provided some relief, with DaQuan Jeffries scoring 12 points and Isaiah Wong adding 11. However, their efforts weren’t enough to overcome Philadelphia’s balanced attack and fast start.
For the Hornets, the absence of Ball remains a significant hurdle. Despite his 34-point, 13-assist performance the night before, the team chose to rest him to manage his calf injury. Charlotte will need his leadership and scoring ability to turn their season around.
The 76ers improved their shooting efficiency to 49.4% from the field and dominated the boards with 39 rebounds. Philadelphia’s bench, led by Ricky Council IV’s 11 points, provided key contributions in the second half to seal the win.