01/31/26 09:03:00
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01/31 21:02 CST Joel Embiid's 40 points lead 76ers to victory over Pelicans
after Paul George's 25-game suspension
Joel Embiid's 40 points lead 76ers to victory over Pelicans after Paul George's
25-game suspension
By DAN GELSTON
AP Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) --- Joel Embiid had 40 points and 11 rebounds to help the
Philadelphia 76ers win hours after Paul George was suspended 25 games for
violating the NBA's anti-drug policy, 124-114 over the New Orleans Pelicans on
Saturday night.
The NBA did not disclose the nature of the violation or the substance that was
involved, and George released a statement to ESPN saying he took something that
was "improper."
Without George, the 76ers couldn't shake the 13-win Pelicans until the final
minutes.
Tyrese Maxey scored 18 points and hit one of his four 3-pointers that gave the
Sixers a 117-111 lead and Embiid and VJ Edgecombe followed with consecutive 3s
for the 123-113 lead.
Embiid heard "M-V-P! M-V-P!" chants as he stepped to the free-throw line with
11.3 seconds left. He sank his first one to hit the 40-point mark.
Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 19 points and the 76ers hit 17 3-pointers to end the
night on a high note after they learned they would have to make a playoff push
largely without George.
Saddiq Bey led the Pelicans with 34 points and Zion Williamson had 11.
George was absent as the franchise celebrated the 25th anniversary of Allen
Iverson and the 76ers' improbable run to the NBA Finals. Allen Iverson was in
the house and so were many of the featured players and architects of the
conference champions such as former team president Pat Croce and general
manager Billy King. The 76ers lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games in
the NBA Finals.
The Sixers also haven't advanced out of the second round in the East since
2001. George's suspension only pushes the odds that streak extends at least one
more season.
Up next
Pelicans: At Charlotte on Monday night.
76ers: At the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
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