Joel Embiid Gameday Report Four-Game Road Trip Continues in PHX

76ers Visit Phoenix for Latter End of Back-to-Back | Gameday Report 74/82

March 25, 20239:20 AM EDT

The 76ers (49-23) are southbound, visiting the Phoenix Suns (38-35) for the third stop on their four-game road trip.

The date with the Suns comes on the second night of a back-to-back for the Sixers, after falling narrowly to Golden State, 120-112, Friday.

Joel Embiid scored a game-high 46 points Friday, plus a team-high nine rebounds and a team-high eight assists. Tobias Harris scored 23 points on 10-for-12 shooting and Tyrese Maxey added 21 points.

James Harden (left achilles soreness), Jalen McDaniels (right hip soreness), and Danuel House Jr. (right shoulder soreness) missed Friday’s matchup.

As of Friday night, the Sixers occupy the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, 1.5 games behind the No. 2 Celtics (51-23).

The Suns are jockeying for position in the West, holding the No. 5 spot ahead of Saturday’s meeting with the Sixers.

The Suns will also be facing the latter half of a traveling back-to-back, after falling to the Kings (44-29), 135-127, Friday in Sacramento.

Devin Booker was Phoenix’ leading scorer Friday, recording 32 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Terrence Ross added 30 points of his own, plus five rebounds, off the bench.

The Sixers and Suns haven’t faced off since Nov. 7, when the Sixers took a 100-88 win in South Philadelphia.

Embiid led the way in that victory, notching a 33-point, 10-rebound double-double, plus five assists. Tobias Harris and Georges Niang scored 21 points each, and Booker led the Suns with 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and a steal.

Booker leads Phoenix in scoring, averaging 28.1 points per game. New Sun Kevin Durant has played three games with Phoenix, but has been sidelined of late (left ankle sprain). Deandre Ayton (right hip contusion) has been out since Mar. 16.

Saturday’s matchup is a 10:00 p.m. ET tip.

Friday’s Key Performers:

Joel Embiid

Tobias Harris

Tyrese Maxey

76ers vs. Golden State Warriors: Mar. 24, 2023

thumbnail-image: SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 24: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 24, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California.

thumbnail-image: SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 24: Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles with the ball in the third quarter against Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors on March 24, 2023.

thumbnail-image: SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 24: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball in the first quarter against Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors on March 24, 2023.

thumbnail-image: SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 24: De'Anthony Melton #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 24, 2023.

thumbnail-image: SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 24: Joel Embiid #21 and Georges Niang #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrate scoring a basket in the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors on March 24, 2023.

thumbnail-image: SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 24: Shake Milton #18 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 24, 2023.

1 / 6SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 24: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 24, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California.

@Sixers Social:

Quote to Note:

Doc Rivers on Embiid’s 12th 40-plus point outing of the season:

“He’s Joel Embiid. He does Joel Embiid things. He was great overall.”

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