With Joel Embiid’s 76ers back in action on Friday, let’s take a quick look at the historic line he put up on Sunday night against the Utah Jazz.

First, let’s acknowledge his three-game stretch over the last week, prior to his explosion v. UTA.

It began with a Nov. 7th matchup v. PHX, sans a couple starters in the lineup. Embiid, who himself was returning from an injury that kept him out of action for three games, was primarily matched up with Deandre Ayton.

With a nearly 32 ppg avg. against the Suns for his career, you could figure Embiid would at least approach that total - he didn’t have much trouble reaching it (finished w/ 33!, 10 & 5 dimes on the night) but the efficiency (8/21 from the field) wasn’t what we’re accustomed to in terms of a complete stat line.

A few days later, Embiid & the Sixers kicked off a “home & home” with the much-improved Atlanta Hawks, featuring always-capable center Clint Capela as the primary, opposing threat on the inside. In 32 minutes, he dropped 26 & 13 on 9/18 shooting…not bad at all, right? Well, Philly lost the game 104-95, leaving indirect questions on if anyone could have stepped up to aid the noble efforts of both Embiid & rising star Tyrese Maxey.

The next game v. ATL, however, was a completely different story. Embiid’s aggression skyrocketed, a major problem for whoever’s tasked to deal with his unstoppable attack (especially when afforded an early rhythm). He went off for a (then) season-high 42! points, along with 10 boards & 6 dimes. Most importantly, Philly enacted revenge on Atlanta with a 121-109 victory at Wells Fargo Center.

On the VERY NEXT NIGHT, the second of a difficult back to back, we were all witness to one of the most dominant stat lines in recent NBA history. Now, despite a hot start to the year, if you look at Utah’s roster, they don’t employ a soul capable of limiting Embiid’s impact. So once again, whatever the prop total was on his points, it was wise to “hammer the over.”

That said, I don’t think anyone predicted he’d put up a career-best 59 POINTS (made 20! free throws but only hit 1 triple). What made it more incredible was the rest of his line: 11 boards, 8 dimes & SEVEN blocks. That’s unreal production by a single player in a game that ended in regulation (without knocking down multiple threes!*).

As Coach Doc Rivers put it:

"I've seen a guy score a lot of points. I haven't seen a guy score a lot of points, rebound, and then the blocked shots. That was impressive. He was getting everything," Rivers said Sunday. "No, is the answer. I have never seen a more dominating performance when you combine defense and offense."

(via Kyle Neubeck/Philly Voice)

Embiid’s utter domination was significant for a few reasons: he reminded the masses of his unique effect on any given night, led the Sixers to another, much-needed, “morale boosting” W & vehemently placed his name in the running for the league’s most coveted individual award (MVP) that’s alluded him the past couple of seasons…all in one fell swoop.

DIFFERENT BREED is a bit of an understatement for that kind of line from Embiid - here’s hoping he continues to remind us why he’s one of the most complete, two-way forces in the game today.

*especially in this era