PHILADELPHIA, PA — Had all the rest of the world been suddenly hushed, the swish of the net on each Joel Embiid shot still would've been fallen silently Wednesday night in south Philadelphia. It was as if the ball was not even touching the net.
And a few hours after his first return to the hardwood in a month, the Sixers beleaguered big man had led the team to one of the most historic evenings in franchise history.
The final score against the Chicago Bulls was 157-137. It's more than they've scored in a single game at any point in the past 56 years. Not since February 15, 1970, when the likes of Hal Greer and Billy Cunningham ran up 159 against the Phoenix Suns, have the Sixers scored more.
It was a small taste of what even a partially-healthy Sixers squad can do. And it was emblematic of the wild circus act that has come to define this generation of Philadelphia basketball.
Embiid scored 35 points in his return, draining all three threes he attempted. Paul George, another star also making his return to the Sixers lineup after a lengthy drug suspension, added 28 points. Stalwart rookie V.J. Edgecombe, who has been carrying the team since February, contributed 22.
Of 14 players who dressed for the game, thirteen of them scored. Eight of them scored at least 7 points. They led by as much as 47 points early in the 4th quarter before finally pulling the last of their starters.
They're still without their true MVP of the season, Tyrese Maxey. They're also without Kelly Oubre Jr. They hope both are back in time for the playoffs. If they are, a team that's slid as low as 10th in the eastern conference this year is a legitimate NBA title contender.