Just in: Despite an injury, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers maintains his dominant run

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Injuries don’t bother the top athletes because they can push them to the back of their minds and focus on what they do best in their sport.

That’s what occurred to Joel Embiid on December 22, when he overcame an ankle ailment to score 31 points, grab 10 rebounds, and dish out nine assists, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 121-111 home victory over the Toronto Raptors. It was his 13th straight game with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds.

The Cameroonian center, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, had plenty of help, with Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris each scoring 33 points for the Sixers.

Embiid struggled in the first quarter, scoring only two points after hurting his ankle in an uncomfortable fall under the basket. He concluded the first half with 11 points, three rebounds, six assists, and five turnovers following a quick trip to the locker room.

“I saw that I wasn’t being aggressive,” he explained, preferring to discuss his game rather than his ankle. “However, I then let the game come to me.” I didn’t force shots, and I was able to get a few in the third quarter.”

When queried about his injury, he merely stated, “I’m not sure.” I’ll get it looked into. We shall see.”

Harris kept the Sixers in the game, scoring 24 points in the first half to help them take a 61-58 lead into halftime after the Raptors had led by as many as 15.

Embiid came alive in the third period, scoring 17 points in a row for the Sixers, including a transition score off a pass from Maxey and a three-pointer that put the Sixers up 90-77.

Despite the odd scowl, he extended the NBA’s longest streak of 30-point, 10-rebound games since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 16 in 1971-72.

The Raptors (11-17), led by Pascal Siakam’s 31 points, cut the Sixers’ lead to three late in the third quarter before the Sixers took control once more.

As Philadelphia (20-8) won for the eighth time in nine games, Maxey had four rebounds and ten assists, and Harris added eight rebounds and seven assists to his season-high in points.

“Tobias is a really good player, he does a lot of good things,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said. “Sometimes shots find you, sometimes they don’t and tonight the ball found him a little more and he took advantage of it.”

He wasn’t surprised that the Sixers came out flat after defeating Western Conference leaders Minnesota behind Embiid’s 51-point performance.

“It wasn’t just (Embiid), it was everybody,” he told reporters.

“Then Joel got going… he started punching through, making jumpers.” He just got into his stride and started shooting.”

The coach also stated that the team would keep a watch on Embiid’s ankle as the team prepares to begin a four-game road trip on Christmas Day against Miami.

“I’m sure it’ll be sore tomorrow,” he went on to say.

“We’ll have to monitor it over the next couple (of) days before we get on the plane (to Miami).”

Tyler Herro led the Heat to a 122-113 victory over the visiting Atlanta Hawks with a team-high 30 points and a season-high seven three-pointers.

Miami won its third game in four attempts after Duncan Robinson scored 21 of his season-high 27 points in the fourth quarter. His performance in the fourth quarter tied the most points he’s ever scored in a quarter; he previously had 21 in the second quarter of a Heat victory over Cleveland on November 20, 2019.

“It shows how much he’s improved all over the place,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

Trae Young hit seven three-pointers and had 30 points and 13 assists for the Hawks, who ended their two-game winning streak.