76ers’ Joel Embiid looking like Hakeem Olajuwon in return is ‘craziest NBA s**t ever,’ per playoff rival

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid looked like a man relieved after they defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of their first-round series in the playoffs. Embiid finally had the Celtics’ number after losing to them in three straight matchups.

Embiid was special in their close-out win, tallying game-highs of 33 points and 12 rebounds. He also had six assists and a block in 39 minutes. Even when he hurt his knee twice, he refused to sit out.

Fortune favors the bold, and Embiid’s resoluteness was rewarded. It was extra memorable since the seventh-seeded 76ers clawed back from a 3-1 deficit.

The last few days have been quite eventful for the former MVP, who went through an emergency appendectomy, forcing him to miss the first three games against the Celtics.

But since his return, he has been nothing but phenomenal. According to a report from The Athletic’s Joe Vardon, a “high-ranking official” from one of the remaining teams in the playoffs has been in awe of the 32-year-old Embiid.

“The Embiid story is the craziest NBA s*** ever,” said the anonymous source.

“This guy has been off the grid for months. How do you all of a sudden turn into (Hakeem) Olajuwon after being out most of the season? The Sixers are insane. You gotta love it.”

In four games versus Boston, Embiid averaged 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists.

Now, the seven-time All-Star will try to carry the 76ers past the New York Knicks in the second round.

If Embiid stays healthy, plus with the way Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, VJ Edgecombe, and Kelly Oubre Jr. have been meshing, he has a good chance to beat one of Olajuwon’s feats: Winning the championship as the lowest seed in league history.

Olajuwon and the sixth-seeded Houston Rockets defended their title in 1995, sweeping the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals.

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