Joel Embiid made a successful return from a two-month injury layoff in the 76ers’ 109-105 win over the Thunder at Wells Fargo Center.
The reigning league MVP finished with 24 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in 29 minutes of play in his first game since injuring his knee in late-January.
The 76ers now sit two games out of the No.6 seed with a half-dozen games remaining after taking down a Thunder team sans Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
Kelly Oubre (25 pts, 6 reb, 8/16 FG) had a strong night offensively for Philadelphia whilst Tobias Harris (18 pts, 6 ast), Cam Payne (10 pts, 10 reb), and Paul Reed (12 pts, 9 reb, 6/8 FG) also contributed.
A strong close to the second quarter saw the Thunder take a double-digit lead into the half which grew out to 13 early in the third.
The 76ers however closed the game on a 26-11 run to claw their way ahead and pull off a key victory against a Thunder team vying for the West’s No.1 seed.
Philadelphia were able to stay in the game courtesy of their hot shooting from deep (14/30, 46.7%).
Chet Holmgren (22 pts, 7 ast, 7/14 FG) led the way for the undermanned Thunder with Lu Dort (15 pts, 8 ast) and Aaron Wiggins (15 pts, 3 stl) flanking him.
The Thunder are back in action in Boston tomorrow whilst the 76ers are in Miami on Friday.
