Joel Embiid 70 points: 76ers star recreates iconic Wilt Chamberlain photo after setting career-high vs. Spurs

If Victor Wembanyama wants to dominate at the NBA level, he got a front-row seat of what that looks like going up Joel Embiid on Monday night. 

The 76ers' star center enjoyed a career-high performance at home, scoring a jaw-dropping 70 points in Philadelphia's 133-123 win over San Antonio. Embiid broke the franchise record for most points in a game, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain's previous mark of 68. 

"Obviously, Wilt accomplished a lot of things," Embiid said. "To be in the same conversation is pretty cool ... It was just a great night. Had it going ... They just kept giving me the ball and I just finished it."

Embiid finished 24 of 41 from the field, including sinking one of his two attempts from 3-point range. He also converted on 21 of his 23 free throws in the win while grabbing 18 rebounds.

AN HISTORIC 70-POINT NIGHT FOR JOEL EMBIID 👏

✅ 76ers franchise record
✅ 9th player in NBA history to score 70+
✅ A new career high

70 PTS, 18 REB, 24/41 FGM, 21/23 FTM pic.twitter.com/gDKY2E9bVA

— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2024

Of course, with Embiid joining Chamberlain in elite company, the six-time All-Star had to recreate the iconic photo of the Hall of Famer. 

Joel Embiid holding up his 70 point game like Wilt 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nZHuMLdbg5

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 23, 2024

The performance not only was enough to set the franchise record for most points in a single game, but it also put Embiid on the top-10 list all-time for most points in a game in NBA history.  

Here is where Embiid's 70-point showing puts him in historical context. 

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Joel Embiid most points in a game

Before Monday night's contest, Embiid's career-high point total in a single game was 59. He had never hit 60 before surpassing that mark and ending the game against the Spurs with 70. 

In total, Monday night's contest marked the eighth time in the center's career that he has scored at least 50 points in a game. 

Who has the most points in a game in NBA history?

Chamberlain still holds the record for most points scored in an NBA game with 100. He's the only player to ever hit triple digits, leaving a mark that may never be broken. 

Kobe Bryant ranks second with 81 points.

Other than Chamberlain and Bryant, the only players in NBA history who have scored 70 points in an NBA game are David Thompson (73), Elgin Baylor (71), David Robinson (71), Donovan Mitchell (71), Damian Lillard (71), Devin Booker (70) and now Embiid (70).

Chamberlain is the only player in NBA history with multiple 70-point games. He had six such games in his career.