CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Philadelphia 76ers were able to earn themselves a big win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday to improve to 41-33 on the season and inch a bit closer to earning a top 6 seed in the East. The Sixers are currently just half a game back of the Toronto Raptors and the Atlanta Hawks who are both tied for No. 5 at the moment.

Joel Embiid played in his second game after missing 13 due to a right oblique strain and he had another solid night. The big fella went for 29 points on 8-for-19 shooting and 3-for-6 from deep while shooting 10-for-13 from the foul line. He looked like himself as he continues to work his way back into everything following the time off.

Advertisement

“I’m feeling good,” Embiid said after the win. “Keep playing basketball, obviously, ramping up. I’m OK. Just got to keep playing basketball and get in better shape.”

If the Sixers can have a healthy Embiid, it might not really matter what seed they are. As long as they get into the playoffs, they are going to be one of the more talented teams in the East. The trio of Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey is one of the best in the league and the supporting cast is strong.

While Embiid works his way back into the swing of things, he isn’t concerned about the standings. He is a guy who just wants the team to be on the same page and continue to grow as a group. With eight games left now, and a big one looming with the Miami Heat on Monday, the big fella is worried about getting everybody together.

“I think we are at the point where it’s just about win every game that you’re competing in,” Embiid said. “So that should always be the mentality. No matter what happens. Yeah, we end up 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. It doesn’t matter. Still gotta win. I don’t care what we end up. My focus is on taking every game. Like last game, P catching his rhythm. Tonight (Saturday), Tyrese coming back. P feeling pretty good. Everybody else. Kelly, making sure everybody’s on the same page, and then let’s go win.”

Advertisement

The Sixers and the Heat will do battle on Monday from Kaseya Center with the winner earning the tiebreaker in that one as well.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: 76ers’ Joel Embiid talks health, East standings after win over Hornets