Embiid scores 53, leads 76ers to 131-113 win over Hornets

Updated Dec. 11, 2022 8:50 p.m. ET

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid had 53 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 131-113 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night.

With the home crowd serenading him with MVP! chants, Embiid posted his second 50-plus point performance of the season and the fourth 50-plus point game of his career. It is also the 30th game in Embiid's career with 40 points and 10 rebounds. The only other player in franchise history to accomplish that feat was Wilt Chamberlain.

Tobias Harris scored 17 points and James Harden added 14 for the Sixers.

Charlotte was led by Kelly Oubre Jr. and Terry Rozier, who each scored 29 points. The Hornets have lost five straight games

Embiid took the game over in the final three minutes of the second quarter, scoring 15 of his 28 first-half points in that stretch by exploiting a mismatch against Hornets forward Mason Plumlee. On one play, Embiid drove down the left side of the lane, extended high over Plumlee and threw down a thunderous dunk that charged up the Wells Fargo Center crowd.

The 76ers scored a season-high 41 points in the second quarter.

Charlotte stayed within striking distance through the early part of the fourth quarter, thanks to Oubre and Rozier, who were able to drive the lane and get easy looks while being helped by 15 offensive rebounds.

But Embiid put the game out of reach by scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter before being pulled with two minutes left. He finished 20 for 32 from the field and hit all 11 of his free throws.

TIP-INS

Hornets: LaMelo Ball missed his 11th straight game with a left ankle sprain. ... Dennis Smith Jr. was inactive for the ninth time in his last 14 games with a left ankle sprain. ... There was a moment of silence before Sunday's game for Paul Silas, the former Charlotte coach for six seasons who died at the age of 79.

76ers: Foward Georges Niang returned Sunday after missing the last two games due to a right foot bruised. Danuel House Jr. was not available with a left foot laceration.

UP NEXT Hornets: Host Detroit on Wednesday.

76ers: Continue their seven-game home stand against Sacramento on Tuesday.

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