Joel Embiid stats today: How did Team USA center fare against Brazil?

Joel Embiid played the best game of his Team USA tenure in the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday. In the 122-87 win against Brazil in the quarterfinal matchup, the Philadelphia 76ers star was one of the top scorers of the team after dropping 14 points. Embiid made an impact from the beginning of the game, dominating the paint and helping the USA take a big lead over the South Americans.

He finished the game only missing one of his six field goal attempts, draining three 3-pointers and one free throw. Embiid did so much in only 12:20 minutes, making a statement after a tumultuous start to the Olympic tournament.

Embiid started the tournament, struggling to get things going. The Cameroonian-born player had admitted that he enjoyed not being the No. 1 option on the team, but fans and analysts didn't miss the chance to criticize him for his performances.

Today's game showed a different and more aggressive Embiid, who dominated the paint against the helpless Brazilian defenders. This is the right moment for Embiid's comeback, as Team USA is set to face Serbia in the tournament's semifinal on Thursday. Having him ready to go against Nikola Jokic will be crucial for Steve Kerr.

Charles Barkley had strong criticism for Joel Embiid before the Brazil game

NBA legend Charles Barkley was one of the analysts who urged Joel Embiid to level up his game. Ahead of the Brazil duel, the 1992 Dream Team member criticized Embiid for not being in better shape.

[02:24] "I hope this is a wake-up for Joel, this Olympic experience," Barkley said on Podcast P with Paul George. "He has not played well, and I'm hoping he's like, 'Yo man, I got to get in better shape.' Because me, personally, I think that's one of the reasons he's always injured. I don't think he's in good enough shape, but I think the way he's played — which is not well during the Olympics — should be a wake-up call for him."

"Like, 'You know what? I got to get in better shape. I got to get healthy because if we don't win the championship or go deep in the playoffs, it's going to be because of me.' And he's been — he keeps getting hurt. And like I said, he’s got to take some responsibility for that."

Team USA still has games to play to win the gold medal, but having Embiid getting close to his best level is major news for the team.