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Tim Bontemps
PHILADELPHIA — For the first time in nearly eight months, joel embiid played in a basketball game for philadelphia 76ers,
And although it was a preseason game against the reserves minnesota timberwolvesEmbiid and the 76ers are feeling good after their 126-110 win at Xfinity Mobile Arena that their superstar is moving into the 2025-26 regular season.
“I think the biggest thing I felt was just joy, and how happy he was to be there and how happy I was to have him there,” said. tyreese maxiWho had 27 points in 30 minutes in Philadelphia’s final tuneup before the regular season starts next week.
“The first thing I asked him before we got there was, ‘Hey, are you excited?’ He was like, ‘Man, I’m so excited to play there.’ So, I’m happy for him.”
Embiid had not played a game for the 76ers since February 22. Brooklyn Nets Before undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome left knee a few weeks later.
But after practicing for the past several weeks — and playing in a public intrasquad scrimmage on Sunday — Embiid took the field on Friday night and had an encouraging performance, finishing with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals and 4 turnovers on 5-for-10 shooting, including 2-for-4 from 3-point range, with 18:35 of playing time, as well as his Both free throws included Were.
“I don’t really want to think about the past,” Embiid said. “I’m in a good shape mentally, physically. … I’m happy to be able to touch a basketball and play basketball and do what I love.
“When you don’t get [to do] It’s hard, but that’s what I’m most happy about. So tonight, tonight, that’s all I thought about. “I’m on the court playing basketball, doing some good things, helping us win and yeah, that’s what I was really focused on.”
Embiid, who looks lanky, seems to have no problem moving around on the court and appears to have taken off the heavy brace he used last season — and is disappointed by it.
By the time it was over, he had passed his latest test, hoping to get back to where he was before knee problems derailed his career.
“Very good,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said when asked his assessment of Embiid’s performance. “I thought he performed well, played well, shot well, passed well. … I didn’t see too many negative things there.”
Embiid only played 19 games last season. And while he averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists in that limited action, he never looked like the player who was going to be a go-getter. Nikola Jokic For the Most Valuable Player award during the last three seasons.
However, he looked like himself on Friday night, and – barring any setbacks in playing against Minnesota – remains on track to participate in next week’s season opener in Boston.
“I mean, I wouldn’t say I feel like I’m 18 years old again,” Embiid said with a smile. “That’s never going to happen. But I’m taking it day by day. Like I said, just learning. Some days I’m going to be good, some days I’m going to be a little tight, so learn from it and adjust and keep doing the right things.”
Even beyond Embiid, the 76ers had some things to be excited about on Friday night. VJ EdgecombeThe No. 3 pick in June’s NBA draft, averaged 26 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals in 34 minutes, making several highlight plays with his athleticism and confirming Nurse’s pregame statement that Edgecombe is ticketed for a spot in next week’s starting five.
quentin grimesMeanwhile, made his pre-season debut after signing a one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer to conclude his restricted free agency a few weeks ago and finished with 22 points, 5 assists and 3 steals in 26 minutes off the bench.
A player who did not return on Friday and does not appear to be on track to play on opening night paul georgeWho is still working after knee surgery in July. Although George has continued to increase his activity level, including participating in practices this week, he still has some steps to take before returning.
