Knicks nemesis Joel Embiid gets last laugh in MSG…
He was some amalgamation of Wilt Chamberlain and Ivan Drago, breaking scoring information and opposing spirits, standing 7 ft tall and pushing 300 kilos, seemingly intent on selecting a battle with anybody in orange and blue.
Joel Embiid was the reigning MVP when the 76ers and Knicks met in the 2024 playoffs, virtually singlehandedly reigniting a rivalry that had been dormant for many years by dropping a 50-bomb and delivering low-cost photographs, while inspiring profanity-laced chants at Madison Square Garden. The six-game sequence was a tantalizing appetizer of the feud that needs to be, of the villain Gotham craves.
But it wasn’t until Saturday evening that Embiid finally made his first look at the Garden since that heated postseason battle, ending with 26 factors (9-of-15 taking pictures from the sphere), 10 rebounds and 5 assists in the 76ers’ 130-119 win over the Knicks.
“I love being here. It’s my favorite place in the entire world,” Embiid said. “It’s always good to be here, talk back to the fans. They were quiet today. I guess that’s what happens when you’re losing the whole game. I had fun going back-and-forth with them. Sometimes, it’s good to be liked. Sometimes, it’s good to be hated.”
Jalen Brunson drives to the basket as Joel Embiid defends during the second half of the Knicks’ 130-119 loss over the 76ers on Jan. 3, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
On a staff now outlined by a new celebrity (Tyrese Maxey) and one of the league’s most thrilling rookies (VJ Edgecombe) — who mixed for 62 factors — only Embiid tapped into the wrath of the group, who booed the big man every time he touched the ball and screamed as he repeatedly baited Mitchell Robinson and Karl-Anthony Towns into fouls.
After spending the better half of the past few seasons managing lower-body accidents, Embiid again resembled one of the game’s most distinctive and dominant skills, creating countless choices out of the high-post, where he blew past 1-on-1 matchups and discovered teammates who offer more help than ever.
After averaging 18.2 factors and 5.6 rebounds on 40.7 p.c from the sphere in his first 9 video games of the season, Embiid put up 29.2 factors (47.9 p.c taking pictures from the sphere), 8.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 blocks in his earlier six video games before Saturday.
Embiid has performed at least half-hour in eight consecutive appearances, while the 76ers (19-14) have received three straight video games. He had been restricted to a whole of 58 video games in the past two seasons and missed 17 video games this season — including the 76ers’ Dec. 19 win in New York.
Joel Embiid drives to the basket and is fouled by Og Anunoby in the first half of the Knicks’ loss to the 76ers. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
In Saturday’s remaining minute, Embiid was rewarded for cherry selecting as he threw down his first dunk of the season, prompting the 31-year-old to run down the court with his arms raised in triumph and his smile stretching to Seventh Avenue, like a child who received a carnival prize.
“It’s a pretty cheap way of getting it, but at least we know he can still dunk it,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said.
Once again, Embiid has raised the 76ers’ ceiling.
The rivalry, too.
“It’s good to play a good team,” Embiid said. “I’m sure you guys probably think they’re the favorite to win the East this year, so I guess [we did] pretty good.”
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