Joel Embiid made a significant return to the basketball court, starting for the Philadelphia 76ers in their preseason finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He did so while making his debut for the first time in nearly eight months. That return came after various injuries, most including an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee in April. That playoff game, played at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, is an example of Embiid’s drive, failure and fight.
In the 76ers’ 126-110 win, Embiid only played 19 minutes, but was still dominant. Overall, he scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds while dishing out eight assists. His versatility was certainly on display, despite the fact he did not play in the fourth quarter. He put forth an outstanding effort even with the caveat of sitting out the first nine games of the 2024-25 season. Last year injuries—most notably a sprained left foot and a sinus fracture—limited him to only 19 games.
For MVP favorite Joel Embiid, the road back to court has been particularly arduous. Last season, he never played more than four consecutive games and was sidelined for the final 26 games of the year. Prior to his injuries, he was averaging 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game on the season.
Embiid made his return to the court on Thursday night against the Timberwolves. Second, he shot the first three-pointer for the Sixers, and it was not close. It didn’t take long for him to find his groove. In his first go-round at the beginning of the game, he logged just under six minutes. He capped his defensive display with three steals. Whenever he was on the floor, his team outscored the Timberwolves by 12 points.
The 76ers certainly will want Embiid back, as they should provide the best support system for him as they advance through the season. Yet, Philadelphia counts on his critical presence on and off the court. They are hoping to avoid a repeat of a failed campaign in the NBA.
“The only thing I’ve always told myself is you can’t give up.” – Joel Embiid
The 76ers hope that Embiid’s return will bolster their lineup as they move further into the season. His presence on the court is expected to be critical for Philadelphia as they aim for a successful campaign in the NBA.
Leave a Reply