NBA Playoffs: The Process is still working for the Sixers as they eliminate the Wizards in Game 5
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – The Philadelphia 76ers move on in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, clinching game five easily over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
Seth Curry (30) showed up in a big way to lead the Sixers over the Wizards 129-112. The NBA's top team in the East was missing their big man Joel Embiid and after game four’s disappointing loss, the Sixers were feeling the pressure to step up and win without him.
Embiid was suffering from a meniscus tear in his right knee, leaving his status at day-to-day prior to game five. Not knowing when he’d be back made Philly practically treat this game like a must-win. Curry broke out for a career playoff-high 30 points, while Tobias Harris followed up with 28 helping Philly hang tough to take the game and the series.
Ben Simmons also played big scoring his third career playoff triple-double with 19 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. Not bad, considering he also had a decent night at the foul line, an area in which he had been struggling during the series, shooting 5-for-8 from.
Simmons, along with Curry and Harris, combined for over half of their team’s points in a strong effort that overcame Embiid’s absence.
For Washington, Russell Westbrook came up short of a usual triple-double but did score 24 points. And Bradley Beal led all scorers with 32.
Now that the Sixers are moving on, Embiid will have to rest up in time to face another powerful big man from Atlanta, Clint Capela.
The Hawks are up next for the Sixers
Playing through his first postseason, Trae Young seemed to easily have his way against the Knicks in the last round and will lead the Hawks against the Sixers in the next round. Center Clint Capela is no one to overlook either and he could be a formidable foe against a hopefully healthy Joel Embiid.
The Sixers did take two out of three from the Hawks towards the end of regular season. And they did so in a big way, winning by an average of 33 points.
The Hawks will be in Philly on Sunday for game one of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire