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Joel Embiid Put in Extra Work Following Sixers' Loss to Pelicans

Joel Embiid put in overtime on Friday.

Justin Grasso

Joel Embiid Put in Extra Work Following Sixers' Loss to Pelicans
Joel Embiid Put in Extra Work Following Sixers' Loss to Pelicans /

Despite having two days off from games, the Philadelphia 76ers didn't have ideal energy in Friday night's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Based on sheer talent, the Sixers were the better team heading into the matchup. However, it was clear which team wanted it more from the gate -- and it wasn't the Sixers.

Pelicans standout Zion Williamson was the best player on the floor on Friday night as he accounted for a game-high of 37 points in 35 minutes of action. Typically, Sixers center Joel Embiid is the standout whether Philly wins or loses, but he wasn't even the most productive player on his own team Friday.

And the big man isn't ignorant to that fact. Embiid is extremely self-aware. Oftentimes, he's more critical of himself than not. Although Embiid didn't speak after Friday night's 101-94 loss to the Pelicans, his actions after the game made it clear that he was more than aware that he did not play well in New Orleans.

According to The Philadelphia inquirer's Keith Pompey, Embiid went to the locker room with his team following the game for a postgame speech from Doc Rivers. Shortly after, the big man remained in his uniform and returned to the court to get some extra shots up before taking off to Oklahoma City.

On Friday night, Embiid put up 16 shots from the field in 31 minutes. He managed only to drain five of his attempts for 14 points, his second-lowest scoring night of the 2020-2021 NBA season.

Just the other night, Embiid made it clear that he wasn't happy with his free throw shooting over the last couple of games. Now, it seems he isn't thrilled with his jump shot as well. Therefore, he got up some extra shots in hopes of improving his rhythm before Saturday's matchup against the Thunder.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_ & Instagram: @JGrassoNBA.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA

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