NBA Game Notes (April 4, 2023)

Here are the NBA game notes for games that were played on April 4, 2023.

Most Valuable Process

Joel Embiid made quite an MVP statement, producing 52 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks as the Philadelphia 76ers held off the Boston Celtics 103-101. It’s the most points a Sixer has ever scored in a game versus the Celtics.

Embiid made 20 of his 25 shots from the field and connected on 12 of his 13 free throws. Embiid became just the second player in NBA history to record at least 50 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a game while shooting 80% or better from the field. He joined Wilt Chamberlain, who did so twice (Dec. 20, 1967 and March 18, 1968).

Embiid is just the third player in NBA history to make at least 20 field goals and 10 free throws in a game with shooting percentages of 80% and 90%, respectively. The previous two instances occurred during a five-day span in January 1981: Bernard King (Jan. 3) and Adrian Dantley (Jan. 7).

This was Embiid’s third 50-point game of the season. He’s just the third center in NBA history to record at least three such games in a season, joining Wilt Chamberlain (eight times) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Embiid has 35 career 40-point, 10-rebound games. The only player since the ABA-NBA merger to record more such games is Shaquille O’Neal (43).

Teammate James Harden scored 20 points and dished out a game-high 10 assists. It’s Harden’s 23rd 20-point, 10-assist game of the season, tying Allen Iverson (2004-05) for the most such games in a single season in franchise history.

Derrick White led the Celtics with 26 points, shooting 9-18 from the field with four 3-pointers made. He also contributed seven rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.