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Dario Saric's dominant stretch, Joel Embiid's injury and Sixers' season-best shooting

Dario Saric looked like last year's rookie of the year candidate. And Joel Embiid suffered a hand injury and his status for Wednesday's home game against the San Antonio Spurs is unclear.

Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (12) strips Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis, left, of the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. The 76ers defeated the Suns 123-110.
Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (12) strips Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis, left, of the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. The 76ers defeated the Suns 123-110.Read moreRoss D. Franklin / AP

PHOENIX – Here are my key takeaways and "best" and "worst" awards from the 76ers' 123-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns Sunday night at the Talking Stick Resort Arena.

Five observations

  1. Best performance: This was a tough one, but I'm giving it Saric. The second-year player was unstoppable through the first three quarters. That's when he scored 22 of his points on 7-for-9 shooting. He ended up going 9-for-13 from the field.

  2. Worst performance: Suns reserve Troy Daniels gets this one. He shot 1-for-6 from the field – all three-point attempts – en route to finishing with five points in 20 minutes, 35 seconds. He graded out with a minus 22.

  3. Best defensive performance: This goes to Ben Simmons. The Sixers point guard finished with a game-high three blocked shots and tied Saric for a team-high three steals.

  4. Worst statistic: This goes to the Sixers committing 21 turnovers. 

  5. Best statistic: You have to give this to the Sixers shooting 55.8 percent.

  6. Worst of the worst: This goes to Booker's shooting in the fourth-quarter. He made just 3 of 10 shots. At that point, he was just jacking up shots.