Joel Embiid scored 49 points in the 76ers’ win over the Hawks yesterday.
It appeared he was gunning for 50.
With Philadelphia up 14 in the final minute, Embiid dunked. Then, he hit an off-the-dribble 3-pointer. After grabbing a rebound on the other end, Embiid brought the ball up court himself – with the shot clock on.
Atlanta guard Kevin Huerter raced from behind and stole the ball. Embiid gave him the finger.
Embiid, via Paul Hudrick of NBC Sports Philadelphia:
There’s always this thing about you shouldn’t shoot the ball if you’re up 20 or something like that. And I feel like it should go both ways. I’m running the clock down and I feel like the game is over. That’s why I’m doing it. But to me, if the other team is gonna keep playing defense, and they’re gonna keep shooting the ball at the other end, I feel like we should just be like, ‘Well, be better next time,’ and just go out and score.
How dare Huerter play basketball. During a basketball game.
Embiid had just been attacking for multiple possessions! He was dribbling toward the Hawks’ basket with urgency! How was Huerter supposed to know that was the suddenly the moment Embiid was done playing?
What nonsense.
