Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid
Getty
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 04: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up before a game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Wells Fargo Center on February 04, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers center, Joel Embiid, landed some more bulletin board material this week.
As the 9-year NBA veteran forward Chandler Parsons discussed his prediction regarding a hypothetical one-on-one game between Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun and Joel Embiid, the former Houston Rockets player took Sengun.
via The Dunk Central on X: Chandler Parsons says Alperen Şengün would beat Joel Embiid in a 1-on-1 game
“I got The Gooner surviving and advancing.”
(Via RunItBack)
If there’s one player who gets up for individual matchups after being doubted, it’s Embiid.
This One’s Been Done Before
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid
GettyBOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 22: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles while guarded by Xavier Tillman #26 of the Boston Celtics in the first quarter of a game at TD Garden on October 22, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Earlier this season, Joel Embiid’s performance against Sengun and the Rockets made waves across the league.
Well before Parsons claimed the Rockets’ big man could beat Embiid one-on-one, the Sixers’ star already had a reason to go hard in the matchup.
Back in September, former Sixers sharpshooter Furkan Korkmaz told reporters at EuroBasket that Sengun had “passed” Embiid as the best big man he had seen and played with throughout his professional career.
In January, the Sixers hosted the Rockets for what became an overtime thriller.
At the time, Embiid was coming off an absence and checked in for 45 minutes. Despite battling his way back from knee concerns, Embiid dominated in the matchup.
The 76ers’ big man shot 10-19 from the field and 11-12 from the free-throw line to score 32 points. He came down with 15 rebounds and dished out 10 assists to secure the triple-double against Sengun and the Rockets.
After the game, Embiid highlighted his own performance with an Instagram post that clearly poked fun at Korkmaz and Sengun.
Embiid has had a shaky season in 2025-2026, solely due to the fact that he has dealt with injuries over time.
While he made it clear his knee concerns are behind him, Embiid has been battling an oblique strain for the past month. The veteran big man made his return to the court on Wednesday, March 25, to take on the Chicago Bulls.
In 28 minutes, Embiid scored 35 points, while producing seven assists, and coming down with six rebounds in the blowout 157-137 win.
Will Embiid Face Sengun Again This Season?
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 01: Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 01, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Houston Rockets won 120-96. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Thanks to Parsons, an early April matchup between two out-of-conference opponents just gained plenty of interest.
The Sixers and the Rockets will meet for the second and final time this season on April 9. The game will take place in Houston, Texas.
With Embiid’s injury issues lingering, it’s difficult to assume he’ll be cleared for that game. But if he is, you can bet he’s going to bring it.