Embiid Needs To Write A New “Elimination Game” Story…And He Will
The 76ers have a talking point that they are desperately trying to put behind them. They haven’t advanced past the the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals since 2001. It’s a horrid number and one I’d love to see them erase from the sports talk radio playbook. Unfortunately, Joel Embiid has the same albatross hounding him.
His performance in elimination games of the playoffs has been far below normal expectations. If you don’t remember exactly how bad it has been, here are the numbers.
Joel Embiid has played in 11 elimination games over seven seasons;
2024
vs New York
Game 5 – 19pts / 9 TOs / 6 free throw attempts / 16 rebounds
2023
vs Boston
Game 6 – 26pts / 4 TOs / 8 free throw attempts / 10 rebounds
Game 7 – 15pts / 4 TOs / 6 free throw attempts / 8 rebounds
2022
vs Miami
Game 6 – 20pts / 2 TOs / 4 free throw attempts / 12 rebounds
2021
vs Atlanta
Game 6 – 22pts / 8 TOs / 4 free throw attempts / 13 rebounds
Game 7 – 31pts / 8 TOs / 10 free throw attempts / 11 rebounds
2020
vs Boston
Game 4 – 30pts / 4 TOs / 18 free throw attempts / 10 rebounds
2019
vs Toronto
Game 6 – 17pts / 5 TOs / 7 free throw attempts / 12 rebounds
Game 7 – 21pts / 4 TOs / 9 free throw attempts / 11 rebounds
2018
vs Boston
Game 4 – 15pts / 2 TOs / 2 free throw attempts / 12 rebounds
Game 5 – 27pts / 4 TOs / 11 free throw attempts / 12 rebounds
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This is how it all averages out.
22 pts / 5 TO’s / 7.5 free throw attempts / 11 rebounds
For his career, that shows that the biggest games don’t bring out the biggest performances from Joel. He averages six points a game less, turns over the ball more, attempts fewer free throws than average and only his rebounds match his career average.
Whether it’s the pressure or a variety of crazy injuries that are offered as reasons, Embiid has not been able to step up when needed the most.
Yes, it sounds bleak. I’m here to tell you that it will all change in Game Six vs the Knicks. This will be the game that begins to redefine his elimination game reputation.
I’ve seen too many glimpses over the past two seasons of an MVP Level Embiid to expect that we get a repeat of his Game 5 struggles. Game 6 will be his coming out party.
I suggested this morning that I’m going to be drawn to bet all of the Embiid individual performance totals on my BetParx App. Here is my guess at his Game 6 performance;
37 points / 3 turnovers / 15 free throw attempts / 15 rebounds
I’m going to not be a coward (Salciunas bullied me into it) and parlay the OVER on points, rebounds, and assists. Enjoy Game 6! You will remember it as the night Embiid finally led his team to victory in an elimination game.
Watch Kincade & Salciunas on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page for discussion about the latest breaking sports news in Philadelphia.
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