PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid returned from a sprained right ankle and had an outstanding performance, scoring 31 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and providing 10 assists. Tyrese Maxey also contributed with 21 points as the Philadelphia 76ers secured a 110-97 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night.
Embiid missed all four games during the 76ers’ holiday road trip, resulting in a 2-2 record. However, upon his return, the Sixers dominated the Bulls, turning the game into an early blowout. Despite the Bulls playing well recently without injured guard Zach LaVine, they fell to 10-6 this season without him. The Sixers raced to a 43-18 lead after the first quarter, with the Bulls missing all 10 3-pointers.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 16 points, and Andre Drummond had 11 points and 17 rebounds. Embiid secured his seventh career triple-double in the third quarter, resting during the fourth quarter. The Sixers have been strong at home, often building double-digit leads and maintaining them against bad teams or undermanned opponents such as the Bulls, resulting in comfortable wins.
Embiid had 22 points at halftime, and Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 16. The 73-42 lead after the first half marked the 12th time in franchise history that the Sixers led by 31-plus points at halftime. Despite the missed games, Embiid still leads the league in scoring with 35 points per game.
UP NEXT
Bulls: Visit New York on Wednesday.
76ers: Host the Knicks on Friday.