NBA: 76ers wallop Thunder behind Joel Embiid’s triple-double

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FILE–Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2022 in New York City.

FILE–Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers. Dustin Satloff/Getty Images/AFP

Joel Embiid had 16 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to help the Philadelphia 76ers beat the host Oklahoma City Thunder 115-96 on Saturday night.

It was Embiid’s first triple-double of the season and fifth of his career. He added four blocks and a steal. Tobias Harris led the 76ers with 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting.

Philadelphia snapped a two-game losing streak, but has won nine of its last 11.

The Thunder have lost back-to-back games and three of their last four.

Playing in the second night, Philadelphia was without James Harden, Tyrese Maxey and PJ Tucker. Maxey returned from missing more than a month with a broken left leg in Saturday’s loss to New Orleans.

But even without those threes, the 76ers got off to a hot start, hitting their first six shots and quickly building a double lead.

Six minutes into the game, Philadelphia led 27-9.

“It’s not saying we’re trying to … but we’re definitely doing it.”

Tobias Harris wants to make sure he gets Joel Embiid his 10th assist for a triple-double 🤣 pic.twitter.com/wXBLcM0wxR

— NBA (@NBA) January 1, 2023

The 76ers led by as many as 33 in the first half, dominating inside. Philadelphia outscored the Thunder 40-22 in the paint in the first half and 66-42 overall.

Oklahoma City’s 43 first-half points were its fewest of the season through the first two quarters.

Midway through the second quarter, Embiid passed Andre Iguodala for ninth in franchise scoring history.

Oklahoma City cut the lead nearly in half late in the third quarter but couldn’t get any closer as the 76ers won.

Philadelphia has won six straight games against the Thunder.

Josh Giddey led the Thunder with 20 points on 9-of-15 shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was just 4 of 15 from the field, finishing with a season-high 14 points.

Luguentz Dort added 13 points, five rebounds and three steals, scoring 10 in the third quarter as Oklahoma City extended its lead to 17.

The Thunder have scored more than 100 points in 26 consecutive games and have not reached the double century mark this season. Oklahoma City shot 38 percent from the field, its worst mark by far this season.