70 Points: Joel Embiid Shatters Records in Clash with Wembanyama
PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid didn’t just win a basketball game; he erased a legend from the record books. In a performance that will be discussed for decades, the reigning MVP dropped 70 points on the San Antonio Spurs, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 133-123 victory. Facing off against rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama for the first time, Embiid reminded the world exactly why the league’s hierarchy still starts with him.
A crafty sequence from Yang Hansen!
Passes it between his legs.
Gets it back.
Finishes at the rim 😤 pic.twitter.com/QqlTOY04jk— NBA (@NBA) February 7, 2026
History in the Making: Breaking Wilt’s Record
The numbers from the box score look like a video game on the easiest difficulty setting. Embiid finished the night with 70 points, 18 rebounds, and 5 assists. He shot 24-of-41 from the floor and lived at the charity stripe, knocking down 21 of his 23 free throw attempts. With this performance, he officially surpassed Wilt Chamberlain for the most points scored in a single game in 76ers franchise history.
- First Half Surge: Embiid set the tone early, scoring 34 points before the teams even headed to the locker room.
- The Big Man Battle: While Wembanyama impressed with 33 points and 7 boards, he struggled to contain Embiid’s physical low-post game, racking up early fouls that limited his defensive aggression.
- Efficiency Check: Embiid joined Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor as the only players in NBA history to record at least 70 points and 15 rebounds in a single game.
This win pushes Philadelphia closer to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, narrowing the gap between them and the Boston Celtics. In terms of the MVP race, Embiid is now the clear betting favorite, provided he meets the league’s 65-game minimum requirement. His scoring average has now ballooned to over 36 points per game, a mark rarely seen since the prime of Michael Jordan.
Inside the Huddle
“Wilt achieved a lot of things. To be in the same conversation is cool, but tonight was about getting the win. I felt the rhythm early and my teammates kept feeding me. We just wanted to stay aggressive and not let them hang around.” — Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers Center
The Bottom Line & What’s Next
While the 70-point mark is the headline, the real takeaway is Philadelphia’s improved offensive spacing. Coach Nick Nurse has built a system that allows Embiid to operate at the high post, making him nearly impossible to double-team without leaving a shooter open. Wembanyama, despite the loss, showed that his offensive ceiling is massive, but his slender frame remains a liability against the NBA’s elite “bruiser” centers.
Watch the injury report closely. High-volume nights like this often lead to rest days in the following week. If Embiid stays on the floor, the Sixers are a lock for a top-three seed. If his knee flares up after this 41-shot effort, the conversation shifts from his scoring records to his durability. The 76ers hit the road next, and all eyes will be on whether Embiid can maintain this historic pace against more physical Eastern Conference rivals.
