Embiid scores 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists in three quarters, Russell returns injured and scores 5 points and 4 assists, 76ers beat Nets

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers used a dominant start to hand the Brooklyn Nets their fifth straight loss.

Joel Embiid had 28 points and 12 rebounds and Tyler Martin scored a career-high 18 points, lifting the 76ers to a 123-94 win over the Nets, the second team they must catch to secure the NBA's No. 1 seed.

Seth Curry and James Harden were out for the 76ers with injuries. With Harden out, Tyrese Maxey filled the ball-handling needs and ran Philadelphia's version of Houston's pick-and-roll offense.

The 76ers led by as many as 33 and reached the 50-point mark for only the second time this season and first since 2020. Curry, who had his streak of 30-point games end at four because of his knee injury, was not needed.

The Nets' Kevin Durant missed a fifth straight game with a strained left hamstring.

"We just played with no composure as the whole game went along, I know we've got to learn from it," Nets coach Steve Nash said.

TIPS AND TRICKS

Both Philadelphia and Brooklyn came to Thursday's game needing a win to climb one step closer to locking up the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

While the 76ers used a big opening first half to make easy work of the Nets, Brooklyn couldn't find a way to stay in the game.

"You got to learn how to compete in this league and they have that figured out," Nash said. "There isn't any doubt about that and we're going through phases of figuring that out at times."

HEALING HURTS

Harden left earlier this week because of right calf tightness after Philadelphia's loss to Orlando. While out, Harden received treatment for a sprained right hamstring he injured Jan. 2 and missed a game because of.

Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said Wednesday he thought Harden would be good to go.

"It's a little frustrating for sure. It's tough to deal with, but you've just got to deal with it," Rivers said in reference to Harden's absence.

"I'm happy that I'm back at it. I love playing. Obviously I wish we won the last game."

THE BASKETBALL TOP

Nets center Nic Claxton wore a hat over his head in warmups with what appeared to a long-sleeved basketball-style top covering his jersey. When the game started, his No. 23 Brooklyn sweater was under the basketball-style jersey.

"It's been a cold, cold, cold, cold winter, it just seemed appropriate and then the whole thing got rolling," Claxton said.

NOTES

76ers: G Matisse Thybulle played sparingly in Philadelphia's loss to the Orlando Magic, Rivers attributed the 17-minute playing time because of ankle soreness.... Philadelphia played the second of three straight home games this week.

Nets: In the absence of guard Patty Mills, Ralpheni Williams took over as Brooklyn's backup point guard. Nash attributed that change to having a bigger and athletic backup to play next to center LaMarcus Aldridge.... Brooklyn will play six of its next nine games without star center Steven Adams, who has played through an inflamed left Achilles since Jan. 9 and is day-to-day.

Up next

76ers host Detroit 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Nets will be at home Saturday and then will have five games in seven of days.