Sixers' Joel Embiid reacts to his first dunk, return to MSG in win

NEW YORK -- The Philadelphia 76ers are rolling. They won their third straight game with a 130-119 win over the New York Knicks on Saturday night to end their 5-game road trip at 3-2. The Sixers saw big performances from Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe as they were able to do what they do, but Philadelphia saw some good things from Joel Embiid.

Playing in his first game at Madison Square Garden since Game 5 of the 2024 playoffs, Embiid had 26 points on 9-for-15 shooting with 10 rebounds and five assists. He also closed the game out with a dunk--his first of the season--which is a big del for him following everything he's been through.

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"Easy one," Embiid smiled after the win. "I still, I wish it would have been one off the backboard. That’s the next step."

He had an opportunity earlier on the road trip when he threw it off the backboard, but wasn't able to convert on the slam. He also had one earlier against the Knicks, but he wasn't able to convert off a pass from Maxey.

"I was open for the lob, and then he threw it at my feet, and I ended up being blocked, but I gotta finish those," Embiid laughed. "A better pass would've been good."

Embiid, being the competitor that he is, missed playing at MSG and going back and forth with Knicks fans. He jawed at a few on Saturday, as per his nature, but he added that they were rather quiet amid all of what the Sixers were doing.

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"I love being here," Embiid said. "It's my favorite place in the entire world, New York. I live here sometimes, so it's always good to be here, and talk back to the fans. They were quiet today, but I guess that's what happens when you're losing the whole game, but always have fun going back and forth with them, and it's good. Sometimes, it's good to be liked. Sometimes, it's good to be hated."

It's good for Embiid and the Sixers to get some type of continuity now. This team is continuing to grow as a group and are looking to climb the standings in the East. Obviously, this team has a lot of talent and now that they've been able to have the same lineup for a few games, they have been able to really see what this group can do on the floor.

"It’s good, yeah, it's good," Embiid finished. "Obviously, we still got some guys out, which I guess is a good thing for the future, because I feel like those two guys can really help us. Kelly (Oubre Jr.), especially, what he brings, and then, obviously, TWatt (Trendon Watford). We can't wait to have them back, but it's good to get some consistency, and try to keep it going."

The Sixers will face the Denver Nuggets on Monday.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers' Joel Embiid reacts to his first dunk, return to MSG in win