While it would still be months before he was crowned as the NBA MVP, Joel Embiid got his 2023 off to a dynamite start. The six-time All-Star cut toward the basket to receive a James Harden bounce pass and let his momentum take him the rest of the way before finishing the possession with a contested and-1 layup through the teeth of the Utah Jazz defense. As one of the more expressive players in the league, Embiid had some extra fun while rolling around on the baseline following the conversion — part of a 42-point, 11-rebound, five-assist performance while shooting 15 of 24 from the field in a 120-111 victory on January 2, 2023. It was one of 13 games of at least 40 points in 2022-23 for Embiid, tied for third-most in the NBA. · Jan 3, 2023