Embiid returns with 42 points but reveals COVID-19 nightmare

Embiid
had
missed
nine
games
after
testing
positive
to
COVID-19
on
November
8
but
dominated
with
42
points,
14
rebounds,
three
assists
and
two
blocks
upon
his
return
on
Saturday
(November
27).

In
Embiid’s
absence,
the
76ers
struggled
with
a
2-7
record,
with
their
latest
defeat
leaving
them
10-10.

The
27-year-old
center
helped
the
76ers
haul
in
a
20-point
deficit
against
the
Timberwolves
and
had
a
chance
to
win
the
game
in
double
over-time
but
failed
to
get
a
shot
away
under
pressure
from
Anthony
Edwards.

The
defeat
overshadowed
Embiid’s
return,
yet
he
revealed
the
severity
of
his
COVID-19
experience
post-game
including
breathing
difficulties
and
headaches,
making
his
42-point
haul
all
the
more
remarkable.

“It
hasn’t
been
good,”
Embiid
told
reporters.
“That
jawn
hit
me
hard.

“I
really
thought
I
wasn’t
going
to
make
it
[to
play
against
the
Timberwolves].
It
was
that
bad.
I’m
just
thankful
to
be
sitting
here.
I’m
just
glad
I
got
over
it.”

Embiid
averaged
28.5
points
and
10.6
rebounds
last
season,
when
he
was
runner-up
for
MVP
honours
to
Denver
Nuggets
center
Nikola
Jokic.

The
76ers
center
is
averaging
23.5
points,
10.0
rebounds
and
3.9
assists
per
game
in
the
2021-22
season.