Wearing a protective mask, former MVP Joel Embiid dominated in his return after missing a game due to a sinus fracture.
Joel Embiid returned with a bang while Donovan Mitchell and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continue to pace the red-hot Cavaliers and Thunder. | Photos: Cavaliers, Sixers, Thunder
Two of the top three teams in the NBA in the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder continued their winning ways, while a masked Joel Embiid returned with a dominating performance for the Philadelphia 76ers.
EMBIID RETURNS WITH A BANG, CAVS, THUNDER SUSTAIN WINNING FORM
- Philadelphia 76ers (9-16) def. Charlotte Hornets (7-21), 108-98: Joel Embiid dominated in his first game back from a sinus fracture to lead a strong Sixers home win.
- Process That: Embiid played with a protective black mask and scored 22 of his game-high 34 points in the first three quarters, Tyrese Maxey added 24 in just the fourth game this season that the Philly Big Three of Embiid, Maxey, and Paul George played together.
- Cleveland Cavaliers (24-4) def. Milwaukee Bucks (14-12), 124-101: The NBA-best Cleveland Cavaliers sent the recently-crowned NBA Cup champion Bucks crashing after securing their third win of the season against Milwaukee.
[ALSO READ: League-best Cavaliers send Damian Lillard-less Bucks crashing with 23-point romp]
- Oklahoma City Thunder (22-5) def. Miami Heat (13-12), 104-97: Jalen Williams uncorked a game-high 32 points and the Thunder rolled to a seventh-straight win at Heat’s expense.
- Road Dub for J Dub and Co.: Jalen Williams scored 13 points in the fourth, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 25 markers as OKC improved to a West-best 22-5 and holds a 3.5 game lead over the the second-running Memphis Grizzlies.