NBA: Joel Embiid monstrous again, Kuminga shines despite defeat
Joel Embiid torches the Atlanta Hawks. The Cameroonian centre scored 38 points, two days after his 50 against the Wizards
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Two days after his 50 points against the Wizards, Joel Embiid kept up the carnage. This time it was Atlanta who bore the brunt of the 2023 MVP's fury on the night of 09 December. The Sixers won 125-114 against the Hawks, and the Cameroonian centre was sensational with 38 points and 14 rebounds in 36 minutes on court. That makes 88 points in his last two outings. The Process is up and running. Philadelphia are 4th in the East (14 wins, 7 defeats).
By contrast, the gloomy season goes on in Golden State. The Warriors, 11th in the West, lost again, going down 136-138 to Oklahoma after overtime. The 2022 champions could at least count on a very good Jonathan Kuminga. The Congolese player scored 24 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, his best game of the season. Is that enough to vindicate those who want to see him as a starter? Another African on the losing side was Pascal Siakam. Despite his 25 points, combined with a double-double from Nigerian Precious Achiuwa (17 pts, 10 rebs), the Raptors lost 116-119 in Charlotte.
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1733317951384621144
Rockets finally win away from home
Houston have finally won a road game in the NBA this season, and in fine style too. The Rockets went to Denver, the defending champions, and won 114-106. Ime Udoka's men have therefore ended their poor run on the road, which could perhaps kick-start some momentum.
A former team-mate of Joel Embiid, George Niang moved on to Cleveland this summer. The source reports that the Senegalese player helped the Cavaliers win in Miami, but prints the conflicting score as 11-99 alongside his 13 points off the bench. The score is reproduced here as printed, without guessing a missing digit.