70-Point Echoes: Joel Embiid Claims Player of the Week as Philly Charges the Standings
PHILADELPHIA — The lights at the Wells Fargo Center seem a little brighter when Joel Embiid is in this kind of rhythm. After a week that saw him dismantle opposing defenses with the efficiency of a surgeon, the NBA officially named the 76ers’ big man the Eastern Conference Player of the Week. It isn’t just another trophy for the shelf; it is a loud reminder that the road to the NBA Finals still runs through South Philly.
🏀 FRIDAY’S FINAL SCORES 🏀
Kawhi steers the @LAClippers to victory on the road!
John Collins: 22 PTS, 7 REB, 2 BLK
Brook Lopez: 15 PTS, 9 REB, 3 BLK
Kris Dunn: 15 PTS, 5 AST https://t.co/uFFiYS4dVu pic.twitter.com/5tnCZk3RMP— NBA (@NBA) February 7, 2026
The Dominance of the Mid-Range King
Watching Embiid right now feels like a glitch in the matrix. Over his last four outings, he didn’t just score; he demoralized. Highlighted by a historic 70-point explosion against San Antonio, Embiid averaged a staggering 37.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per game this week. He’s doing this while shooting nearly 60% from the floor, making veteran defenders look like they’re stuck in quicksand.
But the real story is the math. With the NBA’s new 65-game eligibility rule for end-of-season awards, every minute Embiid spends on the floor is a calculated risk. The Sixers are currently sitting in a dead heat with the Bucks and Celtics for the top spots in the East. Coach Nick Nurse has been staggering Embiid’s shifts to keep his usage rate high without red-lining his stamina before the All-Star break. When he’s on the floor, Philly’s offensive rating jumps by 12.1 points per 100 possessions—the difference between a lottery team and a title contender.
Inside the Huddle
“I don’t look at the points. I look at the wins. If I have to score 70 to help us move up the standings, I’ll do it. If I need to draw three defenders to find the open shooter, I’ll do that too. We aren’t playing for January; we are playing for June.” — Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers Center
The Bottom Line & What’s Next
The 76ers face a brutal West Coast road trip starting next week, including a showdown with the Nuggets that will put Embiid face-to-face with Nikola Jokic. This Player of the Week nod gives Philly the momentum they need, but the health of Embiid’s knee remains the only thing that can stop this train.
Keep a close eye on the trade deadline. With Embiid playing at an MVP level, the front office is under immense pressure to find one more perimeter defender to help take the load off “The Process.” If they can snag a high-IQ wing player to pair with Tyrese Maxey’s speed, this Philly squad might finally have the depth to survive a seven-game series against Boston. For now, just sit back and watch the big man work—we are seeing a Hall of Fame peak in real-time.
