thelesterlee
On Thursday night, the Sixers beat the Knicks 125-114 to save their season. The Sixers are down 1-2 in the series. Going down 3-0 would’ve been a death sentence. Jobs would’ve been lost. Players families would be uprooted and sent to new cities.
Here’s what Joel Embiid did to rescue his squad from national embarrassment:
- 50 points
- 13-for-19 shooting (68%)
- 5 threes
- 19 free throws
- 8 rebounds
- 4 assists
- 1 block
- +16
Mad decent.
Here are my 3 takeaways from Knicks Sixers Game 3:
1. Joel Embiid master class
Knicks Sixers Game 3 was the full embodiment of everything Joel Embiid is.
He is a magnetic offensive force capable of singlehandedly shifting an entire game with dead-eye1 3-point shooting along with his ability to use his 7-foot, 280-pound body as a weapon to generate easy free throw attempts.
At one point in the 3rd quarter, Embiid hit three consecutive 3-pointers, keeping the Sixers foot on New York’s neck. Whenever the Knicks felt ready to have one of their dramatic runs to sneak out with another victory, Embiid made a play to save Philly’s season.
The man tore his meniscus like, recently, and it doesn’t matter anymore. On one leg he’s still one of the best basketball players on planet Earth.
Oh, he also has Bell’s palsy now.
ESPN Sources: Sixers star Joel Embiid has been treated for a mild case of Bell’s palsy for the past week. The condition began during the play-in victory over Miami but he has wanted to keep it private to avoid distractions for his team.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 26, 2024
He is an injury-plagued bucket-getter who also happens to be a huge loser.
Early in the game, Embiid was mentally and emotionally checked out. After not getting a few questionable calls, Embiid tried everything in his power to get kicked out of this game. He was screaming at refs, begging for technical fouls. He even went as far as putting Mitchell Robinson in an ankle lock to get ejected.
Is this a dirty play by Joel Embiid? pic.twitter.com/qjdMkKR3nb
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 26, 2024
It’s a shitty play, for sure and if this were a random regular-season game in December, Joel probably would have been sent to the showers. Instead, it was a flagrant one and Mitch got two free throws.
Mitch missed both.
The Knicks didn’t lose because Embiid wasn’t thrown out. Crying about the refs is some real loser energy. It’s something, say, Joel Embiid would do. And then attack Mitchell Robinson after.
Embiid can be the best basketball player in the world on any night. His main character syndrome mixed with his sore limbs and his need to be hooked up to a ventilator by the start of the 4th quarter will prevent him from ever winning an NBA championship.
Good game, though.
2. Cam Payne’s energy
I don’t love Cam Payne’s game. He doesn’t make the best decisions and is a defensive liability. Also has a tough face. I’d prefer to not see him on my television off aesthetics alone.
Cam Payne came into this game ready to shift the vibes.
Outside of Tyrese Maxey and Embiid, the Sixers role players were watching the playoffs like the rest of us but with a wayyyy better view. The Sixers traded Marcus Morris, Forkan Korkmaz and three 2nd round picks for Buddy Hield this season. He has 2 points in 3 games.
Tobias Harris has been an NBA player for 13 years and still hasn’t figured out how to affect the final score of a basketball game. Rarely does Tobias ever hit the momentum-shifting 3 or have the big defensive play that leads to a crazy fast break dunk that gets the crowd going and forces the opposing team to call time out.
Tobias is the guy you’ve worked with for a year and you’re still not entirely sure what his voice actually sounds like or what his last name is.
Cam Payne knew he had to shake the table. He scored 11 points and hit three big 3’s.
Payne’s energy made it evident the Knicks didn’t have the same urgency he had.
The Sixers scored 43 points in the 3rd quarter and had a ton of open shots where Knicks players didn’t bust their ass to contest them. In Games 1 and 2, it felt like all of the Knicks were going 100mph for 48 straight minutes and in Game 3, the Knicks took their foot off the gas.
Daryl Morey won.
He complained about the ending of Game 2 and got the Knicks to focus more on the officials than the game. I’m so glad Julius Randle couldn’t play. My man would’ve committed the most flagrant flagrant foul in NBA history. Lifetime ban with Jontay Porter.
3. The Knicks are still winning this series
The Sixers just had an ALL-TIME performance from Joel Embiid but unless he averages 50 points for the rest of the series, I have no reason to believe Philadelphia has a chance of beating New York.
Embiid is the reigning MVP whose team was down 2-0 going back to his building. He was SUPPOSED to have a big game 3.
I’ve seen too much flailing and dropping to the ground every jumper and Tyrese Maxey doing the same nonsense to think this is a serious team ready to win a series against a Knicks team full of guys almost competing with each other over who will have the biggest defensive play of the night.
Role players play better at home. It’s been proven true time and time again. See Cameron Payne. Well, the Knicks have homecourt advantage. Get ready for the heroic Precious Achuiwa Game 5 in Madison Square Garden.
Embiid’s knee isn’t going to get healthier. This was most likely the best game he’ll have.
Knicks in 5.
What are your Knicks Sixers Game 3 thoughts? Leave a comment below. Respond on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Or shoot me an email at Deadseriousmailbag@gmail.com. Let’s chat, bay-beeeee. Let me know who you think will win this series.
