NBA superstar Joel Embiid has starred in his return from a knee injury, lifting the Philadelphia 76ers to a 108-100 win over Chicago.
Josh Giddey produced some fodder for the game's highlight reel, including a scything pass that set up a Jalen Smith three-pointer in the first quarter.
Giddey finished with a team-high 11 assists, nine points and seven rebounds.
But the Australian was powerless as the 2023 MVP Embiid helped himself to 31 points and 12 rebounds while consigning the Bulls to consecutive losses.
Playing in just his fifth game this season, the 7-foot Embiid started slowly, missing his first seven shots and ambling deliberately in his left knee brace.
The two-time NBA scoring champion then went on a tear, connecting on eight of his next 10 in the second quarter for his first 19 points as the Sixers claimed a 62-50 halftime lead.
"I just got lucky and started making shots," Embiid deadpanned.
"We just missed shots and we adjusted and we got them in."
Embiid has missed the past seven games because of knee injuries and served a three-game suspension for pushing a sports columnist.
— NBA (@NBA) [December 8, 2024](https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1865859117623246905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
Tyrese Maxey recorded the first triple-double of his career.
It was just the second game this season that the All-Star trio of Embiid, Maxey and Paul George played together.
"Obviously we've got the connection," Embiid said.
"We know when things are not going right, what we need to do. Now it's up to us to make the shots and the plays.
"After that first quarter, it just felt like we needed to take more of an ownership as far as getting us back in the game. They're great players."
Philadelphia opened a 19-point lead in third quarter before the Bulls narrowed it on a 13-1 run. Chicago closed to within four points twice in the fourth.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetkounmpo had 34 points, 11 rebounds and four assists as his Milwaukee Bucks snapped a two-game skid with a 118-113 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Australian Ben Simmons played 17 and a half minutes for the Nets, managing zero points, three rebounds and one assist.