Zion Exits Early, Pelicans Fall Short In Philadelphia
Joel Embiid scored 42 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help the Philadelphia 76ers ring in the new year with a 120-111 home win over the New Orleans Pelicans, who will be more worried about Zion Williamson’s hamstring than the loss. Williamson retired with a limp at the end of the third quarter after recording 26 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds on his stat sheet.
Embiid also had five assists. James Harden had 27 points and 8 assists. Harden’s backcourt running mate Tyrese Maxey added 12 points and 2 assists. Georges Niang led the reserve with 15 off the bench and De’Anthony Melton (11 points, 4 rebounds) hit three big three points to give the 76ers five players who scored in double figures around Embiid.
Williamson once again tied with Philadelphia’s MVP contenders when those two teams met just last week, a win in New Orleans. The Pelicans held a one-point lead late in the third quarter tonight, but it was the last time CJ McCollum and co. held a lead.
The absences of Jose Alvarado (0/4, 0 points, 0 steals), Devonte’ Graham (0/3, 2 points) and Trey Murphy III (3/9, 8 points, 0 assists) appear doomed the Pelicans have a destiny to always play from behind. While they’ve eliminated a few double-digit deficits, they’ve never been able to build on that momentum.
McCollum, who had 42 points in last week’s game and a career-high 11 three-pointers, had another very efficient game. He had 26 points on 9/16 shooting and hit 5/8 from beyond the arc. Jonas Valanciunas (12 points, 12 rebounds) had three blocks but fell short trying to stop Embiid’s MVP campaign.
Embiid played almost the entire first quarter to take advantage of matchup problems caused by foul problems. Valanciunas caught a second foul with 5:58 left in the opening stanza. Williamson returned the favor and penalized a second foul on Embiid eleven seconds from time.
Both substitute benches were dissatisfied with the referees at the break. Williamson. PJ Tucker, Harden and Embiid were all called up for their third before halftime. Williamson was not on the bench early in the fourth quarter.
The team released a statement officially listing the injury as a hamstring strain. Coach Willie Green said in the post-game press conference that he had no further updates but some footage would be taken. All hopes were that Williamson would be fine.
“That was extremely difficult. It was at a pivotal moment in the game. We’ll take a picture and look at him. I hope he’s okay. A tough loss for us,” Green added.
January 2, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives against New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) in the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Embiid was originally listed as questionable with lower back pain, which Doc Rivers says surfaced during a New Year’s Eve road win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Monday’s game was his 16th straight since returning in late November from a left metatarsal sprain.
The Pelicans are now 7-10 in street games. They play their next two games at home at the Smoothie King Center. Then comes another four-game road trip. However, winning the injury report is a major factor for New Orleans. Williamson (hamstring), Brandon Ingram (toe) and Larry Nance Jr. all missing out at the same time exacerbating the problem.
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