Joel Embiid has ensured the Philadelphia 76ers started a daunting 25-game stretch without suspended star Paul George with a victory.
Embiid scored 40 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the 76ers defeated New Orleans 124-114 at home on Saturday just hours after the NBA banned George for violating its anti-drug policy.
The NBA did not disclose the nature of the violation or the substance involved, and George released a statement to ESPN saying he "made the mistake of taking an improper medication" in the course of seeking treatment for a mental health issue.