NBA Game Notes (Jan. 28, 2023)

Here are the NBA game notes for games that were played on January 28, 2023.

Embiid Outduels Jokic

Joel Embiid outdueled Nikola Jokic in a battle of MVP candidates, compiling 47 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Denver Nuggets 126-119. The Sixers have won 20 of their last 24 games, including the last seven in a row.

Embiid now has 33 career games in which he’s recorded at least 40 points and 10 rebounds, tying Michael Jordan for the second-most such games since the ABA-NBA merger:

• 43 — Shaquille O’Neal

• 33 — Joel Embiid

• 33 — Michael Jordan

• 32 — Anthony Davis

• 31 — James Harden

It’s the third time Embiid has recorded at least 45 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in a game, tied for the most such games since the ABA-NBA merger:

• 3 — Joel Embiid

• 3 — Luka Doncic

• 3 — Russell Westbrook

• 2 — Giannis Antetokounmpo

• 2 — James Harden

• 2 — Michael Jordan

Embiid shot 18-31 from the field — including 4-7 from 3-point range — and made seven of his 10 free throws. In the month of January, Embiid has recorded shooting percentages of 54.9% from the field, 42.9% from 3-point range, and 88.5% from the free throw line, averaging 35.4 PPG and 10.7 RPG.

Teammate James Harden scored 17 points, dished out a game-high 13 assists, and did not commit a turnover. Harden has 20 points-assists double-doubles this season, the fourth-most such games in the NBA.

The Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic had 24 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists in the loss, shooting 8-12 from the field and making all six of his free throws. Jokic has recorded at least 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists while shooting 50% from the field in each of his last 30 games, by far the longest such streak in NBA history. Wilt Chamberlain ranks second with a streak of 13 such games in a row in February 1967.

Over his last eight games, Jokic is averaging 24.5 PPG, 12.0 RPG, and 11.4 APG, shooting 70.6% from the field, 58.8% from 3-point range, and 88.9% from the free throw line. He’s recorded six triple-doubles in that span.