Sixers Bell Ringer: Sixers defeat Wizards, but Embiid leaves game in third quarter

Note: There is no traditional recap post for this game.

Sixers Bell Ringer Season Standings:

Joel Embiid - 16
Ben Simmons - 7
Tobias Harris - 6
Shake Milton - 4
Matisse Thybulle - 2
Tyrese Maxey - 1
Dakota Mathias - 1

On the road again for the second night of a back-to-back, it wouldn’t have been crazy if the Sixers came out a little sluggish in Washington, especially with Ben Simmons still sidelined due to health and safety protocols. Instead, Philadelphia jumped all over the Wizards in the first quarter, 32-15, and had an excellent time-wide performance for the second-straight game coming out of the All-Star Break. Of course, the Sixers’ 127-101 win comes secondary to Joel Embiid leaving the game in the third quarter with a left knee injury. Embiid landed awkwardly on his leg after a dunk, and although he eventually walked to the locker room under his own power, it was a scary scene. Sixers fans will wait anxiously for tomorrow’s test results. Until then, let’s choose a Bell Ringer.

Joel Embiid: 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers

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In his 20 minutes prior to the injury, Embiid was basically unstoppable against an underwhelming Wizards frontcourt. Joel had multiple powerful dunks, hit his jumpers, and even hit a circus shot through three defenders for an and-one. His defensive work was exemplary, as well. On one play, Embiid tossed aside Mo Wagner in the paint to be able to slide over and perfectly time his block of Bradley Beal. How well Joel was playing only served to reinforce how unfortunate a serious injury would be to the big man.

Matisse Thybulle: 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover

Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images

After pilfering four steals in the first five minutes Thursday night, Matisse wasted no time following a similar tract in Washington, picking a pocket and getting the run-out dunk inside of the first minute. Thybulle was tremendous defensively throughout the contest; I mean, he literally came from the second row to steal the ball on one possession.

Oh, and the league’s leading scorer, Bradley Beal, was held to only 19 points. Matisse is leveling up before our eyes.

Shake Milton: 18 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers

Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images

Shake had the mid-range game working tonight, knocking down those intermediate shots where he makes a living, and knifing through the generous Washington defense for a handful of finishes at the rim. Milton finished an efficient 8-of-14 from the field. If Joel is sidelined for any period of time, the Sixers will need other guys to drastically step up their offensive production; Shake is a prime candidate to assume a larger role.

Furkan Korkmaz: 18 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover

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12 of his 18 points came in the fourth quarter when the game was basically decided, but it’s always good to see Furkan hitting the longballs. Korkmaz went 4-of-5 from behind the arc, extending the lead with every rainmaker.