Joel Embiid Climbs 76ers’ Triple-Double Ladder in Win vs. Lakers

Joel Embiid is on James Harden's heels on the 76ers' triple-double leaderboard.

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t stand a chance against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, and a lot of that had to do with the pure dominance of the MVP big man, Joel Embiid.

Once again, Embiid has been on a tear this season. After finishing the previous three regular seasons as an MVP finalist and winning the honor last year, the big man hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. Maintaining his current level of play could have Embiid in the conversation for a fourth-straight season.

Monday’s performance against the Lakers was just another strong case to add to the collection. As Embiid put together his first triple-double of the season, he climbs up the Sixers’ leaderboard in that department, breaking a tie with Michael Carter-Williams and George McGinnis, who have five triple-doubles in team history.

Although it was an early night for Embiid, it was surely a productive one. In less than 31 minutes, the big man knocked down nine of his 15 shots from the field, with two coming from beyond the arc. Adding ten points from his 12 free throws, Embiid notched another 30-point outing. 

On the glass, the big man collected four offensive rebounds and seven defensive rebounds, totaling 11 boards. In the playmaking department, he dished out 11 assists, continuing to improve in a facilitating role. While he teased a triple-double in the Sixers’ Saturday night win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, coming one assist shy of grabbing his first of the year, he accomplished the feat on Monday.

Embiid now holds the title of the seventh-most triple-doubles on the Sixers. He trails Wilt Chamberlain, Ben Simmons, Billy Cunningham, Charles Barkley, Andre Iguodala, and James Harden. Embiid is one triple-double away from tying Harden with seven total.