NBA roundup: Joel Embiid scores 41 on his return, Lakers end Thunder streak

In a stunning comeback from injury, Joel Embiid delivered an outstanding performance by scoring 41 points, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a resounding 124-115 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday.

Commencing a jam-packed schedule of NBA games on the Martin Luther King Jr. public holiday, the Sixers dominated from the start and secured a comfortable victory.

Following a left knee injury suffered in a defeat to the New York Knicks on January 5, Embiid missed the Sixers' previous three games.

However, the reigning Most Valuable Player of the NBA displayed no signs of rustiness, delivering an outstanding performance with his seventh 40-point game of the season. Alongside his scoring prowess, Embiid also contributed 10 rebounds and three assists.

Embiid's shooting was exceptional, going 12-of-21 from the field and nearly flawless from the free-throw line, sinking 16 of 17 attempts. This stellar performance propelled the Sixers to a convincing win, improving their record to 25-13 and maintaining their position as the third seed in the Eastern Conference.

Furthermore, Embiid's remarkable scoring streak continued to flourish. He has now achieved at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in 16 consecutive games, matching Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the second-longest streak of its kind in NBA history. Only Wilt Chamberlain surpasses Embiid and Abdul-Jabbar in this regard.

In Monday's dominant victory, Embiid received support from Tyrese Maxey, who contributed 27 points, while Patrick Beverley and Tobias Harris added 11 and 10 points, respectively, off the bench.

Houston's scoring was led by Jalen Green with 20 points, closely followed by Alperen Sengun with 19.

While Embiid made a triumphant return from injury, Golden State Warriors' star Draymond Green had a less celebratory comeback after serving a 16-game suspension.

Green, who received an indefinite ban from the NBA for striking Phoenix Suns player Jusuf Nurkic, played 23 minutes off the bench in the Warriors' 116-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Meanwhile, the Celtics continued their winning streak with a late fourth-quarter surge by the Memphis Grizzlies, who embarked on a 10-1 run to establish a 12-point lead with four minutes remaining.

"Draymond played well, played hard -- it's good to have him back," commented Warriors coach Steve Kerr after the defeat. "Obviously as a team we didn't play well, but Draymond competed and it's good to get him back in the fold."

On Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a 112-105 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, putting an end to the Thunder's four-game winning streak. Anthony Davis had an impressive performance with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists, while LeBron James contributed 25 points.

The game witnessed 17 lead changes, but the Lakers took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Thunder 34-26. This allowed them to secure the lead for the final time and claim the victory at the Crypto.com Arena.

Meanwhile, in Dallas, the Dallas Mavericks staged a remarkable comeback in the fourth quarter to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 125-120. Kyrie Irving led the charge with 42 points, and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 41 points to their tally.

The duo combined for 20 points in the final quarter, helping the Mavericks overcome a double-digit deficit and snatch the win. Josh Green was the only other Dallas player to reach double figures, contributing 13 points.

Dallas coach Jason Kidd praised Hardaway for seamlessly stepping into the starting lineup in the absence of Luka Doncic due to injury. Kidd commended Hardaway's professionalism and aggressiveness, emphasizing the importance of his contributions whether he starts or comes off the bench.

In Toronto, the Boston Celtics, who currently lead the Eastern Conference standings, continued their winning streak with a 105-96 victory over the Raptors. Derrick White and Jrue Holiday led the scoring for the Celtics, both contributing 22 points. With 31 wins and only nine defeats, the Celtics maintain a three-game lead over the second-placed Milwaukee Bucks (28-12).

Lastly, in Atlanta, Trae Young's outstanding performance of 36 points helped the Hawks secure a 109-99 victory against the San Antonio Spurs. Despite the loss, San Antonio's No.1 draft pick, Victor Wembanyama, showcased his skills with 26 points, 18 of which were scored in the fourth quarter.