Joel Embiid put Philadelphia ahead with four free throws in the final 40 seconds and finished with 24 points in his first game in nine weeks following knee surgery, leading the 76ers to a 109-105 win over Oklahoma City.
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Embiid added seven assists and six rebounds in nearly 30 minutes on Wednesday (AEDT) -- but most important, he brought the confidence that the Sixers can salvage their season and make a post-season run with last season's MVP in the line-up.
Embiid was congratulated by Hall of Famer Allen Iverson after the game.
Chet Holmgren scored 22 points to lead the Thunder.
Australia's Josh Giddey contributed 10 points, five rebounds and three assists in the absence of All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was out for the third time in four games with a quad injury.
The Sixers trailed by 11 points with 7:27 left before they went on a torrid run. Kelly Oubre Jr. hit a three that got the comeback rolling, and Embiid capped it off with a series of free throws. Embiid hit two for a 106-105 lead and added two more that made it 108-105. He made all 12 foul shots on the night.
Oubre scored 25 points and Tobias Harris had 18.
Embiid was injured on January 30 at Golden State. He had meniscus surgery on his left knee a week later, and the Sixers crashed in the Eastern Conference standings without him. They are currently eighth with a 41-35 record.
"He changes them significantly," OKC coach Mark Daigneault said.
"They play a lot different stylistically when he's in to where they have been lately in the last 30 games he's been out or so. When he plays, it certainly changes their approach."
Oklahoma City remain top of the Western Conference despite sharing a 52-23 record with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who were 113-106 winners at home over the Houston Rockets.
Australian Associated Press
