Nick Nurse on 65-game threshold for Joel Embiid: I don’t think it’s fair

By HoopsHype | January 22, 2024

What’s the buzz on Twitter? Matt Williams @StatsWilliamsJoel Embiid finished with 34 points in the 1st half against the Spurs.The only players with more points in a half vs the Spurs since Gregg Popovich became head coach in 1996-97:– James Harden in 2019 (37 points in 1st half)– Karl-Anthony Towns in 2022 (36 points in 2nd half) – 8:16 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBAJoel Embiid 34 points at half:2s: 22 pointsFTs: 12 pointsVictor Wembanyama 18 points at half:2s: 10 points3s: 6 pointsFTs: 2 points – 8:12 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsbornFour players have scored 40 or more points vs. Spurs this season: Trae Young, 45; Giannis Antetokounmpo, 44; De’Aaron Fox, 43; and Dame Lillard, 40.Embiid has 34 in the first half tonight. – 8:11 PM Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_LopezHALF: Sixers 62, Spurs 58Embiid: 34p, 10r, 11/20 FG, 12/12 FTWemby: 18p, 4r, 7/11 FG, 2/3 3P, 2/2 FTWemby played the final 4:22 of the 2H with 3 fouls. – 8:09 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontempsHalftime: Sixers 62, Spurs 58Joel Embiid at half: 34 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists on 11-for-20 shooting (plus 12-for-12 from FT line). Not bad.Victor Wenbanyama had 18 and 4 on 7-for-11 in 14 minutes for the Spurs, and his matchups defensively with Embiid were very fun. – 8:09 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsbornSpurs trail 62-58 at the break.Wemby has 18 points, Vassell 14.Embiid with 34 points & 10 boards for the Sixers. – 8:08 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizellHalftime: Sixers 62, Spurs 58. Wemby with an impressive 18 points and 4 rebounds….but Embiid’s got 34 and 10. Just insane stuff. – 8:08 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontempsJoel Embiid now has 21 straight 30-point games. The only people in NBA history to have a longer streak are Wilt Chamberlain (3 times) and James Harden in 2019 (32). – 8:02 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizellEmbiid extends 30-point streak…in the first half. He’s 9-of-16 from the floor and 12-of-12 from three free-throw line, and also has seven rebounds and two assists. – 8:01 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontempsVictor Wenbanyama guarding Joel Embiid has been every bit as fun as expected. His length has given Embiid something to think about, even as Embiid has had success getting Victor in the air and drawing fouls on him. – 7:58 PM Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynoldsJoel Embiid’s 24-point 1st quarter vs. Spurs:– 4th-most points he’s ever had in a quarter, most in a 1st quarter– 5th-most points anyone has scored in a quarter vs. Spurs in the Gregg Popovich era – 7:48 PM Tom Petrini @RealTomPetriniEmbiid in the first quarter: 24 points, 6 rebounds, 8-8 FT, 2 assistsAnd the Spurs lead 35-34 behind 10 apiece from Vassell and Wemby – 7:39 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontempsAfter 1: Spurs 35, Sixers 34Victor Wenbanyama got off to a great start, scoring 10 quick points before sitting with two fouls (and his minutes-limit).Joel Embiid continued his ridiculous pace recently with 24 (!) first quarter points on 8-for-12 shooting. – 7:38 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_CarlinJoel Embiid finished up a dominant 1st Q with 24 points on 8/12 shooting. While Embiid was dominant, the Spurs have the 35-34 lead after 1 as they’ve hit 7 triples. #Sixers – 7:38 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizellSpurs 35, Sixers 34 at the end of the first. Embiid already has 24 points (!) and six rebounds, but the rest of the Sixers are a combined 4-of-11 from the floor. Spurs are 7-of-13 from deep. Wemby has 10 points including two three-pointers. – 7:38 PM Tom Petrini @RealTomPetriniSpurs up 14-5 to start, 4-4 from 3 as the Sixers call time.Wemby had Embiid on him, Vassell set a ball screen and Wemby drilled the three. Next trip he grabbed a miss, took it coast to coast and stepped into one. – 7:17 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizellWemby has not yet put his butt in Embiid’s stomach, as Pop jokingly suggested pregame. But he has buried back-to-back three-pointers to help the Spurs take a 14-5 lead and prompt a Nick Nurse timeout. – 7:16 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_CarlinThis contest has opened with Victor Wembanyama knocking down 2 triples and defending Joel Embiid. Spurs have opened up a 14-5 lead as Nick Nurse calls for time. #Sixers – 7:16 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontempsSixers-Spurs has opened up with Victor Wenbanyama and Joel Embiid going head-to-head, with Wenbanyama making back-to-back 3-pointers to help San Antonio jump out to a quick 14-5 lead, forcing a Nick Nurse timeout 2.5 minutes in.Embiid has all five points for Philly. – 7:15 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizellFellow Frenchman Nico Batum is the first to guard Wemby tonight. Nick Nurse said before the game that there could be four guys who take a crack at him — and that switches will obviously lead to even more. – 7:12 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBAStarters for Spurs @ Sixers:Jones vs MaxeyVassell vs Oubre Jr.Champagnie vs BatumSochan vs HarrisWemby vs EmbiidSixers favored by 13.5 – 6:50 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsbornPop having fun when asked about Wemby facing Embiid: “We are going to hammer his ass. I told Wemby to stick him, put your butt right in his stomach, back him down over the rim & just throw him through the rim. That’s what you can look forward to … Don’t tell Wemby I said that.” – 6:09 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrellCoach Pop was asked if Jeremy Sochan can help Wemby with the responsibility of guarding Embiid:“I don’t think it really matters much. I’ll give you some bullshit if you want. We’re gonna blitz him when he turns right and we’re gonna do this…” – 6:03 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrellCoach Popovich, asked about what he’s looking forward to in the Wembanyama/Embiid matchup tonight, says:“We’re gonna hammer his ass.” – 5:37 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrellNick Nurse gave updates on all Sixers who are out:Pat Bev – sick, be back shortlyMarcus Morris – hoping one-game thingRobert Covington – still no timeframe, but hoping for an update soonMelton – hoping back in the near future, update in the coming daysSpringer – day-to-day – 5:28 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrellJoel Embiid has been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week.He averaged, uh, 37.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5 assists.Philly 4-0. – 3:30 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_CarlinNick Nurse says Joel Embiid will go through his pregame warm ups to determine his status for tonight. He’s questionable due to left knee injury management. If he can’t go, one can expect Paul Reed to start. #Sixers – 5:32 PM More on this storyline