Joel Embiid's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A closer look at the biggest achievements of Joel Embiid. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.
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).
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.
1982: First NBA Player Since Julius Erving to Achieve the Feat
On 15 November 2017, Joel Embiid became the first NBA player with 40 points, seven assists, and seven blocks in a game since Julius Erving in 1982.
1983: Third Player Since 1983 to Post Such Numbers in 25 Minutes
On 30 October 2017, Joel Embiid became just the third player to post such numbers in 25 minutes of play or less since 1983-84.
1990: Third Player Since 1983 to Post Such Numbers in 25 Minutes
On 30 October 2017, Joel Embiid became just the third player to post such numbers in 25 minutes of play or less since 1983-84, joining Fat Lever (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.
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.
2006: Most Points by a Sixers Player Since Allen Iverson
On 15 November 2017, Joel Embiid scored 46 points, the most by a Sixers player since Allen Iverson in 2006.
2007: First Sixers Player Since Iguodala to Notch 40 20-Point Games
On 15 March 2018, Joel Embiid became the first Sixers player to notch 40 20-point performances in a season since Andre Iguodala in 2007-08.
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.
February 2014: Naismith College Player of the Year Finalist
On 13 February 2014, Joel Embiid was named one of the 30 finalists for the Naismith College Player of the Year award.
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.
2015: Third Player Since 1983 to Post Such Numbers in 25 Minutes
On 30 October 2017, Joel Embiid became just the third player to post such numbers in 25 minutes of play or less since 1983-84, joining Pau Gasol (2015).
2016: NBA All-Rookie First Team
At the end of the 2016-17 season, Joel Embiid was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
January 2017: Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week
On 23 January 2017, Joel Embiid was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from January 16-22.
January 2017: Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month
On 3 January 2017, Joel Embiid was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in December.
October 2018: First Sixers Player since Barkley to Reach Marks
On 24 October 2018, Joel Embiid became the first 76ers player since Charles Barkley in November 1991 to record 30 points and 19 rebounds in the same game.
2018: Named NBA All-Star Starter
In 2018, Joel Embiid was named a starter for the NBA All-Star Game, becoming the first Philadelphia player selected as an All-Star starter since Allen Iverson in the 2009-10 season.
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.
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.
2023: Named NBA MVP
In 2023, Joel Embiid was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).
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.
