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[Saba Sports News] Joel Embiid’s return from an ankle injury led the Philadelphia 76ers to a win over the Chicago Bulls, but it was his sideline snack of Jolly Ranchers that caught fans’ attention. Some NBA fans criticized Embiid’s on-court eating as disrespectful, with comments ranging from disbelief to accusations of not taking the Bulls seriously.
Despite the controversy, Embiid’s performance was undeniably strong. He racked up 31 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in just three quarters, leading the 76ers to a comfortable lead and earning himself a rest for the remainder of the game. The Bulls’ late surge in the fourth quarter only narrowed the final score gap.
Embiid’s achievement in the game was historical, as he joined Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players with 14 consecutive games scoring at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. He’s close to surpassing Abdul-Jabbar’s 16-game streak, though Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 65 consecutive games remains far out of reach.
With his current season averages and the 76ers’ record, Embiid is a strong contender for back-to-back MVP titles. However, he must meet the 65-game eligibility requirement to qualify for the award, and having already missed seven games, there’s little room for further absences if he aims to secure the MVP honor again.