NBA roundup: Embiid leads Sixers past Wizards, Jokić keeps hot streak going

Washington DC - The Philadelphia 76ers moved above .500 in the NBA as Joel Embiid scored 36 points with 13 rebounds in a 117-96 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

Joel Embiid joined Allen Iverson as the only two players to score 7,000 points in their first 300 games for the Sixers.
Joel Embiid joined Allen Iverson as the only two players to score 7,000 points in their first 300 games for the Sixers.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

The 76ers center was the dominant player on court, but also involved in a spat with Montrezl Harrell, which saw the latter ejected after a second technical foul in the third quarter.

Embiid had good support from Tobias Harris (23 points, seven rebounds, three assists) and Seth Curry (11 points with three triples, five rebounds, nine assists).

The Wizards had held a six-point quarter-time lead but the 76ers responded with excellent second and third periods, totaling 67-41 to take control of the game.

NBA slaps Clippers' PJ Tucker with biggest fine of the year
NBA NBA slaps Clippers' PJ Tucker with biggest fine of the year

For Embiid, the game also brought a personal milestone. He joined all-time great Allen Iverson as the only two players to score 7,000 points in their first 300 games for the Sixers.

Obviously, I wish I was more healthy. I probably would have had at least 15,000 points by now," Embiid told SixersWire.

Around the league

The Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokić (l.) goes up against the Clippers' Keon Johnson.
The Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokić (l.) goes up against the Clippers' Keon Johnson.  © IMAGO / Agencia EFE

Reigning MVP Nikola Jokić led the Denver Nuggets past the Los Angeles Clippers 103-100 in a thriller, with the Serbian center finishing with 26 points, 22 rebounds and eight assists.

Youngster Brandon Boston Jr, who had 18 points, missed a three-point attempt on the buzzer to force over-time.

Jokic becomes the first player to record 25 or more points, 20 or more rebounds, and five or more assists in back-to-back games since Charles Barkley in 1988.

NBA's Joel Embiid to undergo left knee procedure
NBA NBA's Joel Embiid to undergo left knee procedure

Veteran Kevin Love scored 22 points making six-of-nine from beyond the arc, with nine rebounds from 18 minutes on court as the Cleveland Cavaliers thrashed the Toronto Raptors 144-99 to improve to 20-13. The 45-point win was the Cavs' largest margin since 1991, when they had a franchise-best 68-point win over the Miami Heat.

Zach LaVine scored 32 points including five three-pointers while DeMar DeRozan added 24 points as the Chicago Bulls got past the Indiana Pacers 113-105.

Ja Morant continues to adjust after returning from injury, shooting eight-of-18 from the field including zero-of-three from three-point range while having four turnovers in the Memphis Grizzlies' 127-102 win over the Sacramento Kings.

Morant did finish with 18 points and nine assists.

Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

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