Joel Embiid returned to the NBA court Tuesday after a nine-game absence, but his debut wasn’t what fans hoped for. He struggled from the field and appeared sluggish in the Philadelphia 76ers’ 111-99 loss to the New York Knicks in NBA Cup play.
Embiid finished with 13 points, three rebounds, five assists, and one block, but shot a disappointing 2-of-11 from the field. He earned eight of his points from free throws and played 26 minutes.
His absence stemmed from two key factors: initial knee management for a left knee issue, followed by a three-game suspension for shoving a reporter.
Joel Embiid struggled and was outplayed by Karl-Anthony Towns in his season debut. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Embiid started the game but visibly struggled with fatigue, calling for a break at the 7:10 mark of the first quarter when the Knicks held a 12-6 lead. He had just an assist and a turnover alongside his two misses at that point.
He left the court with a wrap around his surgically repaired left knee, only to return quickly for another 13 minutes before halftime, without hitting a single field goal. Despite scoring just four points, he ended the half with three assists and one rebound. The second half saw him continue to struggle offensively but contributing defensively.
The Knicks’ lead proved too much to overcome as Embiid sat out the final six-plus minutes, ending up with 13 points and a disappointing shooting percentage.
George’s stellar performance with 32 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and three assists while hitting 8 of his 12 3-point attempts was a bright spot for the team. However, it wasn’t enough to secure a win against the Knicks.
Despite the loss, there is hope in Philadelphia as this marked the first time Embiid and Paul George, acquired from the Clippers during the offseason, played together. The 76ers are still hoping for a complete lineup, with All-Star Tyrese Maxey currently sidelined by a hamstring injury.
The team’s focus now turns to maximizing the potential of its Big Three while managing playing time and aiming for a successful playoff run. The success of their season heavily relies on Embiid returning to his dominant form, as he is capable of carrying the team to championship contention.
