Embiid, Harden Star in Return As Philadelphia 76ers Rally Past Struggling Dallas Mavericks

Embiid, Harden Star in Return As Philadelphia 76ers Rally Past Struggling Dallas Mavericks

Joel Reyes
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:29 PM
  • The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night
  • Joel Embiid and James Harden led the Sixers in their return to the lineup
  • The Mavs’ playoff hopes are in jeopardy following the loss to the Sixers

The Philadelphia 76ers finally snapped their three-game losing streak with a 116-108 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Joel Embiid starred for the Sixers, who got to 50 wins in the fewest amount of games since 2001.

They moved within two games of the Boston Celtics for second place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, James Harden, NBA, Nikola Jokic, Kyrie Irving, NBBA Playoffs
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers talks with Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks during the game on March 29, 2023. Image: David Dow.
Source: Getty Images

Embiid and Harden’s winning return

Embiid scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds in his return to the Sixers lineup, per ESPN.

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He did not play in Philly’s last game against Denver due to a calf injury, denying fans an opportunity to witness a titanic showdown between the two leading MVP candidates.

He helped the Sixers rally in the fourth quarter. Embiid sank a 3-pointer to tie the game at 103 before knocking down a 16-foot jumper to give Philadelphia the lead for good.

James Harden also returned to the lineup after missing the past four games because of an Achilles tendon problem. He registered a double-double, finishing with 15 points and 12 assists.

Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris were the other Sixers starters to score in double figures. The two dropped 22 and 13 points respectively.

Free-falling Mavs lose again

It’s back to the drawing board for the Mavs, who are in danger of missing the playoffs in the Western Conference. They have lost five of their last six games to drop to 11th place in the West, trailing the 10th-placed Oklahoma City Thunder by one game.

Luka Doncic nearly recorded a triple-double, finishing with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Kyrie Irving added 23 points for the Mavs, who went scoreless in the final 3:18 of the contest.

It’s now make-or-break time for the Mavs, who only have five games remaining on their schedule.

Two games remain in their road trip, with the Mavs facing the Heat and the Hawks. They close their regular season with a critical three-game homestand, with Dallas hosting Sacramento, Chicago, and San Antonio.

Doncic helps Mavs rout Pacers

Sports Brief recently reported on the Mavs’ win over the Pacers.

Doncic scored 25 points to lead Dallas to a 127-104 victory.

He played due to the NBA rescinding his one-game suspension.

Authors
Joel Reyes photo
Joel Reyes
Joel Reyes is a sports editor at Sportsbrief.com with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines. He has eight years of work experience in sports writing.
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