Adrian Fedkiw
Make it 36 straight losses for the Philadelphia 76ers in October and November.
Except this one was a lot more promising than the previous 35.
Progress!
Joel Embiid had 20 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in his NBA regular season debut and the Sixers fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-97 on Wednesday night.
The Thunder couldn’t guard him.
They couldn’t guard him pic.twitter.com/lMWFbHn26t
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) October 27, 2016
Embiid, who finally made his debut after missed the last two season with foot injuries, was 6-of-16 from the floor, 7-of-8 from the foul line and 1-of-3 from beyond the arc in 22 minutes of action. Sixers head coach Brett Brown said on Tuesday afternoon that he’d play 20 minutes, but with Philadelphia holding a small lead over the Thunder in the fourth quarter, Embiid was inserted back in for the final 4:29.
The Cameroonian showcased a little bit of everything in his arsenal, the soft touch on his jumper, the range on it, his quick post moves and ability to block and alter shots.
Highlights from Embiid’s Sixers regular season debut. 20 pts, 6/16 shooting, 7/8 from foul line. 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. Great performance! pic.twitter.com/tjkXunbxLk
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) October 27, 2016
Here’s a great graphic from CSN about how Embiid’s minutes were distributed.
Good Embiid graphic on Postgame Live. #SixersTalk pic.twitter.com/iqZPKCDNtj
— CSN Philly (@CSNPhilly) October 27, 2016
Trust the process!
Man the fans showed so much love… I freaking LOVE YALL!!!! TRUST THE PROCESS pic.twitter.com/zXvwo28naY
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) October 27, 2016
Embiid wasn’t the only Sixer making his regular season debut, but Dario Saric didn’t have as much success. He netted just five points on 2-of-12 shooting and missed all four of his attempts from distance.
Embiid wasn’t the only Sixer making his regular season debut, but Dario Saric struggled. He had just 5 points on 2/12 shooting. pic.twitter.com/JA8tBerqHD
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) October 27, 2016
Jahlil Okafor was also on a minutes restriction, he played 16 as Brown was easing him back into action after returning from a knee injury. He scored eight points.
Okafor with 6 points in 4 1st quarter minutes, pair of layups and a mid-range jumper pic.twitter.com/ZWbkcAFTCR
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) October 27, 2016
The Sixers began 0-17 two years ago and 0-18 last season.
Russell Westbrook was an assist shy from a triple-double, posting 32 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists in his first game playing without Kevin Durant for the Thunder.
The Sixers held a 95-92 advantage after Embiid sunk a pair of free throws with 2:58 left, but the Thunder closed the game on an 11-2 run.
Westbrook gave Oklahoma City its first lead with 1:07 to play, 97-95, when he knocked down a tough fadeaway from the right wing, but Embiid answered at the other end with a soft mid-range jumper following a couple of jab steps.
Westbrook with a tough fadeaway at one end, Embiid with a faceup and a few jab steps before nailing the right wing jumper at the other pic.twitter.com/C0e9vHSgI0
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) October 27, 2016
Westbrook sunk a pair of foul shots to swing the pendulum back in OKC’s favor on its ensuing possession and I have no idea what Gerald Henderson was trying to do on the Sixers’ next trip up the floor. Enes Kanters’ putback with 10 ticks remaining sealed the outcome.
Not sure what Henderson is trying to do there pic.twitter.com/oBIIKNnYnN
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) October 27, 2016
Although it was a Sixers loss, it was encouraging.
Long live The Process!
Sam Hinkie died for our sins pic.twitter.com/mTUZFMOZQ2
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) October 27, 2016