Joel Embiid poured in 28 points, Paul George added 23 and all five Philadelphia starters scored in double figures as the 76ers rolled past the Washington Wizards 131-110 on Wednesday night.Tyrese Maxey chipped in 22 points and eight assists for Philadelphia, which has won four of its last five games.
Shortly after the final buzzer, reports surfaced of a significant trade involving Washington. The Associated Press reposted that the Wizards and Atlanta Hawks agreed to a deal sending Trae Young to Washington in exchange for a package highlighted by veteran CJ McCollum. Corey Kispert is also headed to Atlanta, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet received league approval.
Tre Johnson scored a team-high 20 points for Washington, which was short-handed on the second night of a back-to-back. Khris Middleton sat out with a right knee injury.
Embiid, playing in his fifth straight game after being slowed by early-season injuries, was dominant and efficient. The 2023 MVP shot 10 of 14 from the field, made 7 of 8 free throws and grabbed seven rebounds.
Philadelphia seized control early behind 16 first-quarter points from Embiid. The 76ers led 92-80 entering the fourth quarter, then opened the final period with an 11-0 run capped by a Quentin Grimes dunk to push the lead to 23. Grimes finished with 16 points.
Kelly Oubre Jr. returned to the lineup after missing time with a left knee injury and scored two points in his first game since Nov. 14. Trendon Watford also made his return from a left abductor sprain, giving Philadelphia its full roster for the first time this season. Watford last played on Nov. 25.
The win helped the 76ers bounce back from Monday’s 125-124 overtime home loss to Denver, a game in which the Nuggets played with just nine available players and no regular starters.
Washington entered the night having won five of seven games after a 3-20 start, but was missing several contributors. In addition to Middleton and McCollum, the Wizards were without Kispert (hamstring) and Keyshawn George (left hip). Bub Carrington and Bilal Coulibaly each scored 18 points.
Wizards coach Brian Keefe said before the game there remains no timetable for Cam Whitmore’s return. Whitmore has been sidelined since last month due to upper extremity deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
Up next:
Wizards host New Orleans on Friday.
76ers visit Orlando on Friday.
