NBA Top Five Performances, March 10: Joel Embiid’s 39 Points Completed Philadelphia 76ers’ Comeback Against the Portland Trail Blazers

TOP PLAYERS OF THE DAY:

Some may have Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic as the runaway MVP but Joel Embiid showed why he’s still in the conversation.

The Philadelphia 76ers star was nearly unstoppable in his 39-point performance against the Portland Trail Blazers. He also added seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three blocks. The Sixers were down by 21 at one point but rallied behind Embiid to complete the comeback. A nine-point fourth quarter by Embiid was capped off by a winning fadeaway shot.

“I knew I had to step back, but I knew that I had to get to my spot,” Embiid said. “That’s a perfect spot from my previous years. At the top of the key, the court is wide open because guys don’t want to give up threes.”

OTHERS:

- Trae Young had 28 points, nine assists and two rebounds in the Atlanta Hawks’ win against the Washington Wizards.

- D’Angelo Russell’s 16-point fourth quarter led the Los Angeles Lakers to victory against the Toronto Raptors. Russell totaled 28 points in his return from injury after six games.

- Mikal Bridges continued to shine with the Brooklyn Nets, putting up 34 points in the overtime victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

- San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson had 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists to pull out an upset victory against the Nuggets.

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.