Joel Embiid drops a 40 in front of Allen Iverson at the 2001 ECF reunion night.

Joel Embiid enjoyed a dominant performance up front Allen Iverson during Philadelphia The match between the 76ers and the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.

Embiid is halfway through the 12th season of his NBA career with the 76ers, his 10th year as an active player. He helped the franchise enjoy its best years in the modern era after the Iverson era of the early 2000s.

Speaking of Iverson, the franchise legend was there, as was the unforgettable 2000-01 team. Philadelphia dedicated the event to celebrating Iverson and that year’s team, which reached the 2001 NBA Finals and pulled off an iconic Game 1 victory by stunning the Los Angeles Lakers. Iverson also took home the MVP award that season, adding to the appeal of his legendary status in the community.

Embiid made sure that deliver performance something Iverson and the team would be proud to witness. In 39 minutes of action, he finished with 40 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal. He shot 13-of-27 from the field, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc and 11-of-14 from the free throw line. It was his first 40-point game of the season.

As Joel Embiid, the 76ers played against the Pelicans

It was an outstanding performance for Joel Embiid for Allen Iverson and the team’s special night in 2001, leading the 76ers to a 124-114 victory over the Pelicans.

Both teams were competitive for most of the game, trading 3-pointers all night. Despite that, Philadelphia had a great performance in the second quarter after outscoring New Orleans 36-21 throughout the period. That proved to be the difference as the hosts secured victory.

Five players scored in double figures for Philadelphia in the win, including Embiid. Kelly Oubre Jr. followed that with 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. He shot 7-of-13 overall, including 3-of-7 from downtown and 2-of-4 from the charity stripe. Tyrese Maxey followed with 18 points and eight assists, VJ Edgecomb with 15 points and five assists, while Jared McCain had 12 points and two rebounds.

Philadelphia improved to 27-21 on the season, holding sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are 1.5 games above the Orlando Magic and two games above the Miami Heat. However, they are one game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors.

With three straight wins, the 76ers will be looking forward to their next game. They are on the road when they face the Los Angeles Clippers on February 2nd at 10:00 PM ET.