Sixers rookie Embiid named Eastern Conference Player of the Week

By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor  

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was honored with the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award on Monday afternoon for his performance during the week of January 16-22. He isn't expected to play in either of the Sixers' next two games.

The Sixers went 3-0 with Embiid in the lineup during the past week, with the rookie center averaging 22 points on 47.2 percent shooting, 10.3 rebounds and an NBA-leading 3.67 blocks per game. He also averaged 13.7 free throws in those three games.

Embiid has been a large part of the reason Philadelphia is 7-3 during the month of January and posted two double-doubles over the span of three games, raising his total to nine on the season to lead all rookies. His most impressive game of the week probably came against Milwaukee. The 7-foot-2 native of Cameroon finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds and a career-best five blocks in the Sixers' 113-104 win.

The Philadelphia 76ers selected Joel Embiid with the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. After missing two seasons due to foot injuries, he's averaging 19.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game all while playing on a minutes restriction in 2016-17.