NBA Top Five Performances, Feb. 23: Joel Embiid’s Block and Score Helped Seal the Win for the Philadelphia 76ers

Embiid made big plays in the Sixers’ victory against the Memphis Grizzlies.

TOP PLAYERS OF THE DAY:

Many have Denver Nuggets center as the runaway favorite for the MVP this season but Joel Embiid proved why he is still in the running. Embiid had a clutch performance against the Memphis Grizzlies with 27 points, 19 rebounds and six blocks. Embiid blocked Ja Morant’s shot to keep the game within one possession in the final minute. He also had the dunk to put Philadelphia ahead by three with just under 25 seconds left.

His effort helped the Sixers overcome multiple double-digits deficits. James Harden flirted with a triple-double but it was Embiid’s two-way effort that clinched the victory for Philadelphia.

“I always think two-way is better than one,” Embiid said. “In these types of nights, to be able to have an impact when you don't have anything going on offensively, I think it’s nice.”

OTHERS:

- Despite the Indiana Pacers’ overtime loss to the Boston Celtics, Myles Turner tied his career-high in scoring with a 40-point performance. He shot 80 percent from the arc, hitting a career-high eight 3-pointers against Boston Thursday night.

- Domantas Sabonis had his seventh triple-double this season, ranking him third in the league in that category. Sabonis had 18 points, 10 assists and 18 rebounds in the Sacramento Kings’ win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

- Malik Beasley led the way for the Los Angeles Lakers in their cruising win over the short-handed Golden State Warriors. Beasley had 25 points on 7 of 11 shooting from 3-point range.

- Lauri Markkanen scored 43 points in the Utah Jazz’s overtime win against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.