NBA News Today: Joel Embiid scores 36 points in return, Nikola Jokic makes more history with unique triple-double, and more

Philadelphia 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid returned to the lineup against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night and picked up right where he left off.

Meanwhile, reigning back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic made NBA history after his unique triple-double against the LA Lakers on Monday night.

On that note, here is the latest news from around the NBA as of Jan. 11, 2023.

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Joel Embiid scores 36 points in his return as Sixers blowout Pistons

Philadelphia 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid made his return to the Sixers lineup on Tuesday night against Detroit after missing three games with a sore left foot. The big man didn't skip a beat, putting up 36 points and 11 rebounds on 60.0% shooting as Philadelphia cruised to a 147-116 blowout win.

This upped Embiid’s career-best scoring average to 33.6 points per game on the season, second only behind Dallas Mavericks superstar guard Luka Doncic (34.2PPG).

Sixers All-Star guard James Harden also recorded his second straight triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 15 assists on 85.7% shooting.

Meanwhile, Saddiq Bey, Jaden Ivey, and Rodney McGruder scored 17 points each to lead the Pistons.

With the win, Philadelphia improved to 25-15 and fourth in the Eastern Conference. They are also just 3.5 games behind the Boston Celtics in first place in the East. Detroit, on the other hand, fell to 11-33 as they continued to sit at the bottom of the East.

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Nikola Jokic makes NBA history with a unique triple-double versus Lakers

Reigning back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic

The Denver Nuggets defeated the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers 122-109 on Monday night. They were led in scoring by point guard Jamal Murray, who scored a season-high 34 points. However, it was superstar center Nikola Jokic who made history in the game.

The Serbian finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 16 assists on 5-for-5 (100.0%) shooting, marking his league-best 11th triple-double this season. In doing so, Jokic became the first player in NBA history to record at least 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists on 100.0% shooting.

Following the game, Nuggets coach Mike Malone remarked on Jokic’s selflessness.

"I've been around the league a long time, I know a lot of players that if they took five shots in 35 minutes would be pissed off right now," Malone said.

He added:

"Nikola doesn't care, whether he takes five or 25 (shots). There's not many guys like him that I've been around. It just speaks to — another triple-double, but a truly selfless superstar."

Overall Jokic’s performance just continued his case for his third straight MVP. Following the game, Jokic is averaging 25.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game on 61.6% shooting.

Meanwhile, Denver maintained their top spot in the Western Conference at 27-13.

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Derrick Favors signs 10-day contract with Atlanta Hawks

NBA veteran center Derrick Favors

The Atlanta Hawks are reeling, having lost five of their last seven games to fall to 19-21 and ninth in the Eastern Conference. As a result, Atlanta has decided to make a move to reinforce their frontcourt.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Hawks signed veteran free agent center Derrick Favors to a 10-day contract on Tuesday.

Favors has played 12 seasons since being drafted No. 3 in 2010. He has suited up for four different franchises, including New Jersey, Utah, New Orleans and OKC. So the Hawks will mark the 31-year-old veteran’s fifth team.

Favors has career averages of 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game on 53.4% shooting. He should provide the Hawks with a steady veteran presence in the backup five spot.

This comes as starting center Clint Capela has been out since December 23 with a calf injury. So for now, Favors will likely be backing up third-year center Onyeka Okongwu, who has been starting in Capela’s absence.

The Hawks' next game will be on Wednesday at home against Milwaukee.

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Otto Porter Jr. undergoes season-ending foot surgery

Toronto Raptors forward Otto Porter Jr.

Otto Porter Jr. played a key role in the Golden State Warriors’ 2022 title team. This earned him a two-year, $12.3 million contract from the Toronto Raptors in free agency. Unfortunately for the Raptors, the signing hasn’t worked out so far as Porter is reportedly set to undergo season-ending foot surgery.

Porter has played a total of just eight games for Toronto.

The former No. 3 pick in 2013 finished his 10th NBA season averaging just 5.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. The 5.5PPG mark Porter’s lowest scoring average since his rookie season in Washington (2.1PPG).

Fortunately for the Raptors, Porter is just 29 years old, so there is still a good chance he will recover in time for next season.

However, the Raptors are currently just 18-23 and 11th in the Eastern Conference this season, and severely lacking in bench depth. They will likely need to find a replacement for Porter if they plan on making a playoff push.

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Steph Curry returns to Warriors after 11-game absence

Golden State Warriors superstar point guard Steph Curry

Golden State Warriors superstar point guard Steph Curry made his much-anticipated return on Tuesday night against Phoenix. Curry played in his first game since December 14 after missing 11 straight games due to a shoulder injury.

However, Curry and the Warriors had a rough night as they lost 125-113 to an undermanned Phoenix Suns team. Curry finished with 24 points but shot just 8-for-22 (36.4%).

Meanwhile, Phoenix, who were without stars Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton, still had three players score 20-or-more points. The Suns were led by Mikal Bridges, who finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three blocks.

With the win, Phoenix improved to 21-21 and seventh in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Warriors fell to 20-21 and eighth in the West with the loss. Curry and the Warriors will now look to get back on track on Thursday on the road against San Antonio.