LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Joel Embiid shrugged off the lingering effects of illness to score 50 points as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Washington Wizards, 131-126, in the National Basketball Association on Wednesday.

Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Embiid missed the Sixers' last two games due to ill health but returned with a bang to deliver a season-high performance in a slender victory on the road.

It was the second monster performance by Embiid against the Wizards this season after the Cameroon-born star dropped 48 points against Washington on 6 November.

Embiid, who also had 13 rebounds and seven assists, revealed after Wednesday's win he was still not fully fit.

"I didn't feel good. My chest was killing me," Embiid said.

"I started to feel better in the second half but I was struggling."