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The Boston Celtics notched a 117-107 victory over the Boston Celtics without two of their biggest stars on Wednesday night. After the game, Joel Embiid casually gave his Eastern Conference foes a major compliment.
Embiid discussed the challenges of playing the second of back-to-back games against Boston. He gave the Celtics major props in passing.
“[It’s] tough, especially playing Indiana twice and then on a back-to-back playing the best team in the league,” Embiid said, per NBC Sports Boston. “You know, it’s tough, but no excuses. We still have to be better. I have to be better.”
Joel Embiid calls the Celtics the best team in the league 👀👀👀#DifferentHere pic.twitter.com/O1vgGuqlqG
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) November 16, 2023
Boston and Philadelphia entered the game tied atop the East at 8-2. The Celtics now share the NBA’s best record alongside the Denver Nuggets.
A league-leading 13.4-point average scoring margin backs up Embiid’s assessment. The Celtics also possess the game’s top net rating (+13.4), ranking third in offensive and defensive rating.
Even without Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics vanquished the 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. While Jayson Tatum led the way with 29 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, Derrick White scored a season-high 27 points. New addition Jrue Holiday dished out 10 assists.
Meanwhile, Boston contained Embiid to a season-low 20 points. He also snapped an eight-game streak of double-digit rebounds with nine. The reigning MVP is averaging 31.9 points and 11.5 boards per game this season.
The 76ers had won eight straight games — including a 106-103 victory over Boston last week — before consecutive losses to the Pacers and Celtics. Embiid showed considerable respect to the team that knocked them out of the second round in a seven-game series last postseason.
Embiid has plenty of time to prove himself wrong. Philadelphia’s next head-to-head opportunity will take place at Boston on Friday, Dec. 1.