Joel Embiid returned to the NBA court Tuesday for the first time this season, but his comeback wasn’t as smooth as hoped.
He struggled from the field and appeared winded throughout his first game as the New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 111-99 in NBA Cup play.
After missing the first nine games due to a combination of injury management and an NBA suspension for shoving a reporter, Embiid finished with 13 points, three rebounds, five assists, and one block. He shot a dismal 2-of-11 from the field, scoring eight of his points from the free-throw line in his 26 minutes on the court.
Joel Embiid struggled and was outplayed by Karl-Anthony Towns in his season debut. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Embiid started against the Knicks but quickly appeared winded after his first live basketball action since the Summer Olympics in Paris. He called for a timeout at the 7:10 mark of the first quarter, with New York leading 12-6. When he left the court, he was 0-for-2 with an assist and a turnover.
He walked to the locker room with a wrap around his surgically repaired knee but returned to play later in the first half. Embiid also seemed frustrated at times throughout the game and wasn’t as active defensively as fans have come to expect from him.
The Knicks took advantage of Embiid’s struggles, building a comfortable lead that swelled to 19 at one point in the third quarter. While star shooting guard Paul George put in an impressive performance for the 76ers with 32 points and eight three-pointers, it wasn’t enough to overcome the team-wide issues they faced.
The game marked Embiid’s debut alongside his new teammate George, who arrived via a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers. Philadelphia fans are still waiting for the official arrival of their “Big 3,” as All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey watched from the bench with a hamstring injury expected to sideline him for several weeks.
The hope for the 76ers lies in Embiid, George, and Maxey eventually playing together enough to establish chemistry. A championship run hinges on their ability to stay healthy throughout the season, something that’s proven difficult for this franchise. The team’s stated plan to limit George and Embiid’s workloads raises further questions about how effectively they can contend in a league where experience and consistent performance are crucial.
If Embiid, widely considered an MVP-caliber player when healthy, can regain his dominance quickly, there is still reason for optimism. The 76ers need him to reach that level soon to avoid another disappointing season.
