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Sixers center Joel Embiid is NBA’s Eastern Conference player of the month

It’s the second straight month that Embiid has been named the conference’s best player. The Sixers' Doc Rivers was also named coach of the month.

76ers center Joel Embiid shoots over the Orlando Magic's Wendell Carter Jr. on Wednesday.
76ers center Joel Embiid shoots over the Orlando Magic's Wendell Carter Jr. on Wednesday.Read moreHeather Khalifa / Staff Photographer

Joel Embiid, on Thursday, was named the Eastern Conference player of the month for January. It’s the second straight month that the 76ers center has been selected as the conference’s best player.

He averaged 34.9 points on 54.9% shooting along with 10.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.6 blocks, and 3.4 turnovers in 10 games last month. He also shot 42.1% from beyond the three-point line.

The seventh-year veteran is leading the league in scoring at 33.5 points per game. He’s also averaging 10.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.1 steals.

» READ MORE: Sixers vs. Magic takeaways: James Harden’s fourth, Tobias Harris’ defense, and more

The 7-foot-2, 280-pounder produced nine games of 30 points or more and three with at least 41 points in the month. Embiid’s highlight was a 47-point, 18-rebound performance against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.

Embiid’s other four player-of-the-month awards came in January 2019, January 2021, December 2021, and January 2022. He and Hall of Famer Allen Iverson are the only Sixers to win the award at least four times.

In other news, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers was named the Eastern Conference coach of the month. Rivers led the Sixers to an 11-3 record in January.

Embiid is expected to garner his sixth consecutive All-Star selection Thursday night.

    Keith Pompey
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    As the Sixers beat reporter, I provide daily coverage, perspective, a social media presence and long-form takeout pieces about one of the NBA's young emerging teams.
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