Career Timeline of Joel Embiid: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Joel Embiid built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Joel Embiid, a Cameroonian-American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers, is a dominant force in the NBA. Drafted third overall in 2014 after playing for the Kansas Jayhawks, the 7-foot center has become a seven-time NBA All-Star, five-time All-NBA Team member, and three-time All-Defensive Team member. Notably, he's a two-time NBA scoring champion and secured the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 2023. Embiid's achievements extend to international play, winning a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team in 2024.
1954: Fifth player in NBA history to score 40 points and grab 20 rebounds with 80% shooting
On April 9, 2022, Embiid achieved a milestone, becoming the fifth player in NBA history since the introduction of the shot clock in 1954 to score at least 40 points and grab 20 rebounds while shooting 80 percent or better from the field.
1954: First player in the shot clock era to have 45 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in less than 31 minutes
On November 6, 2023, Embiid became the first player in the shot clock era (since 1954–55 season) to have 45 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists while being on the court less than 31 minutes.
1965: Third player in 76ers history to have multiple 50-point games in the same season
On December 11, 2022, Embiid became the third player in 76ers franchise history to have multiple 50-point games in the same season, joining Allen Iverson (2000–01 and 2004–05) and Wilt Chamberlain (1965–66 and 1967–68).
1967: Third player in 76ers history to have multiple 50-point games in the same season
On December 11, 2022, Embiid became the third player in 76ers franchise history to have multiple 50-point games in the same season, joining Allen Iverson (2000–01 and 2004–05) and Wilt Chamberlain (1965–66 and 1967–68).
1967: Breaking the Sixers franchise record for most points in a game previously set by Wilt Chamberlain
On January 22, 2024, Embiid scored 70 points along with 18 rebounds, breaking the Sixers franchise record for most points in a game previously set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1967.
1968: First Sixers player with a 40-point triple-double since Wilt Chamberlain
In February 2022, Embiid recorded his fourth career triple-double and became the first Sixers player with a 40-point triple-double since Wilt Chamberlain in 1968.
1971: Longest such streak since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did it in 16 straight games for the Milwaukee Bucks
On December 20, 2023, Embiid scored a season-high 51 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, recording his 12th straight game with 30 or more points and 10-plus rebounds, which is the NBA's longest such streak since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did it in 16 straight games for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1971–72 season.
1973: First player with 50 points, 10 boards, 5 assists and 5 blocks since blocks became an official stat
On November 13, 2022, Embiid became the first player in NBA history with 50 points, 10 boards, five assists and five blocks in a game since blocks became an official stat in the 1973–74 season.
March 1975: Third player in NBA history to record at least 47 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocked shots
On January 28, 2023, Embiid became just the third player in NBA history to record at least 47 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocked shots, joining Bob McAdoo, who achieved this in March 1975.
1981: NBA Scoring Champion
On April 9, 2023, Embiid was named the NBA scoring champion, averaging 33.1 points per game, doing so for the second straight season. He also joined James Harden as the first pair of teammates to lead the NBA in scoring and assists since George Gervin and Johnny Moore did so in the 1981–82 season.
1982: First center to average over 30 points per game since Moses Malone
At the end of the 2022 regular season, Embiid became the first center to average over 30 points per game since Moses Malone in 1982.
1982: First Center Since Moses Malone to Average Over 30 Points
In the 2021-2022 season, Joel Embiid became the first center since Moses Malone in 1982 to average over 30 points per game.
December 1990: First Sixers Player with 30/20 Since Barkley
On 14 December 2018, Joel Embiid became the first Sixers player with at least 30 points and 20 rebounds in a game since Barkley on 7 December 1990.
November 1991: Franchise's First Player to Reach Marks Since Barkley
On 24 October 2018, Joel Embiid became the franchise's first player to reach those marks in the same game since Charles Barkley did so in November 1991.
1997: Joins LeBron James and Klay Thompson as only players since 1997–98 season to shoot 10-for-10 or better in a quarter
On November 6, 2023, Embiid scored 29 points on 10–10 shooting in the 3rd quarter, joining LeBron James (January 4, 2008) and Klay Thompson (January 23, 2015) as the only players since the 1997–98 season to shoot 10-for-10 or better in a quarter.
2000: First center since Shaquille O'Neal to win scoring title
At the end of the 2022 regular season, Embiid became the first center since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000 to be named the NBA scoring champion, averaging 30.6 points per game.
2000: First Center to Lead in Scoring Since O'Neal
In the 2021-2022 season, Joel Embiid became the first center to lead the NBA in scoring since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000.
2000: Third player in 76ers history to have multiple 50-point games in the same season
On December 11, 2022, Embiid became the third player in 76ers franchise history to have multiple 50-point games in the same season, joining Allen Iverson (2000–01 and 2004–05) and Wilt Chamberlain (1965–66 and 1967–68).
January 2001: Second player in 76ers history to produce at least four games of 45-plus points, 15-plus rebounds and five-plus assists
On January 28, 2023, Embiid became the second player in 76ers franchise history to produce at least four games of 45-plus points, 15-plus rebounds and five-plus assists, joining Wilt Chamberlain, tying a record previously set in January 2001.
December 2004: Highest for a Sixer since Allen Iverson
On 1 November 2018, Thirty-two of his 39 points came in the first half, the highest for a Sixer since Allen Iverson had 33 points in the first half on 18 December 2004 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
2004: Third player in 76ers history to have multiple 50-point games in the same season
On December 11, 2022, Embiid became the third player in 76ers franchise history to have multiple 50-point games in the same season, joining Allen Iverson (2000–01 and 2004–05) and Wilt Chamberlain (1965–66 and 1967–68).
2005: First Sixer since Allen Iverson to lead the league in scoring
At the end of the 2022 regular season, Embiid became the first Sixer to lead the league in scoring since Allen Iverson won the title for the fourth and final time in 2005.
January 2008: Joins LeBron James and Klay Thompson as only players since 1997–98 season to shoot 10-for-10 or better in a quarter
On November 6, 2023, Embiid scored 29 points on 10–10 shooting in the 3rd quarter, joining LeBron James (January 4, 2008) and Klay Thompson (January 23, 2015) as the only players since the 1997–98 season to shoot 10-for-10 or better in a quarter.
2009: First Philadelphia All-Star Starter Since Iverson
In 2018, Joel Embiid was the first Philadelphia player selected as an All-Star starter since Allen Iverson in the 2009-10 season.
2013: Played College Basketball
In 2013-14, Joel Embiid played 28 games for the University of Kansas, averaging 11.2 points and 8.1 rebounds.
2013: First Sixers All-Star since Jrue Holiday
In 2018, Joel Embiid became the first Sixers All-Star since Jrue Holiday in 2013.
April 2014: Declared for NBA Draft
On 9 April 2014, Joel Embiid declared for the 2014 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
June 2014: Underwent Foot Surgery and Drafted by 76ers
In June 2014, Joel Embiid underwent surgery for a broken navicular bone and was drafted third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers.
August 2014: Signed Rookie Contract
On 26 August 2014, Joel Embiid signed his rookie scale contract with the 76ers, but was ruled unlikely to play in the 2014-15 season due to a foot injury.
2014: NBA Drafted
In 2014, Joel Embiid was drafted third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA draft after playing college basketball with the Kansas Jayhawks.
January 2015: Joins LeBron James and Klay Thompson as only players since 1997–98 season to shoot 10-for-10 or better in a quarter
On November 6, 2023, Embiid scored 29 points on 10–10 shooting in the 3rd quarter, joining LeBron James (January 4, 2008) and Klay Thompson (January 23, 2015) as the only players since the 1997–98 season to shoot 10-for-10 or better in a quarter.
October 2016: Preseason and Regular Season Debuts
In October 2016, Joel Embiid started his first preseason game with the 76ers and on October 26, 2016, he made his long-awaited NBA regular-season debut, recording 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
October 2017: Signed Contract Extension with 76ers
On 10 October 2017, Joel Embiid signed a five-year, $148 million contract extension with the 76ers.
February 2020: Season High Point
On 20 February 2020, Joel Embiid scored a then season-high 39 points to lead Philadelphia to a win against the Brooklyn Nets.
February 2021: Career High Points
On 20 February 2021, Joel Embiid recorded a double-double with a then-career-high 50 points to win against the Chicago Bulls.
March 2021: Embiid donates $100,000 to fight homelessness in Philadelphia
In March 2021, Embiid donated $100,000, his 2021 NBA All-Star Game winnings, to fight homelessness in Philadelphia.
April 2021: Embiid receives NBA Cares Community Assist Award
In April 2021, Embiid received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for donating $100,000 to fight homelessness in Philadelphia in March 2021.
August 2021: Signed Extension
On 17 August 2021, Joel Embiid signed a four-year, $196 million extension with the 76ers.
2021: NBA Scoring Leader
In the 2021-22 season, Joel Embiid led the NBA in scoring.
January 2022: Embiid matches career high of 50 points against Orlando Magic
In January 2022, Joel Embiid matched his then-career high of 50 points, shooting 17-for-23, along with 12 rebounds and three blocks, leading to a 123–110 win over the Orlando Magic.
November 2022: Embiid scores career-high 59 points against Utah Jazz
On November 13, 2022, Embiid scored a career-high 59 points along with 11 rebounds, eight assists and seven blocks in a 105–98 victory over the Utah Jazz.
2022: NBA Scoring Leader
In the 2022-23 season, Joel Embiid led the NBA in scoring for the second consecutive year.
November 2023: Embiid scores 48 points against the Wizards
On November 6, 2023, Embiid posted 48 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists in a 146–128 victory over the Washington Wizards.
2023: Named NBA MVP
In 2023, Joel Embiid was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).
January 2024: Embiid puts up a triple-double against the Chicago Bulls
On January 2, 2024, Embiid put up a triple-double with 31 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists through playing only the first three quarters in a 110–97 win over the Chicago Bulls.
April 2024: Embiid posts playoff career-high 50 points in Game 3 against the New York Knicks and reveals Bell's Palsy diagnosis
On April 25, 2024, Embiid posted a playoff career-high 50 points in Game 3 against the New York Knicks and stated that he had been diagnosed with Bell's Palsy and had been dealing with migraines and blurred vision.
2024: Won Gold Medal on U.S. Olympic Team
In 2024, Joel Embiid won a gold medal as part of the U.S. Olympic team.
February 4, 2025: Embiid returns after left knee injury and records triple-double against Dallas Mavericks
On February 4, 2025, Embiid returned after a left knee injury sidelined him the previous 15 games. He recorded his eighth career triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 118–116 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
