Joel Embiid FLOPS On Return From Injury As 76ers Fall To KAT And New York Knicks In NBA Season Debut

After much anticipation, Philelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid marked his return to NBA in in-season tournament game against New York Knicks. However, he was completely off pace on his return from injury as he flopped on his season debut. 

Joel Embiid took an errant hebutt to face, looked gassed early in his 26-minute season debut, flopped, as big man can — though extra seconds on floor provided a needed brear — and failed to find his shot in his return to Philelphia 76ers.

Embiid hit court to a rousing ovation from nearly 20,000 fans but failed to stir Sixers out of ir early season slumber that kept m anchored at bottom of Eastern Conference.

He shot just 2 for 11, grabbed three rebounds and scored 13 points, t eugh to prevent 76ers from ar loss, 111-99 to New York Knicks on Tuesday night

2023 NBA MVP, Embiid also missed 4 of 5 3-point attempts and h a pair of turvers.

“I mean, first five minutes,” were rusty, Embiid said. “I thought after that, it was fine. You can do whatever you want in practice and (a) scrimm. But game is a different story. I'll be fine."

Embiid, his season marred by injuries and suspension, wasted time giving Sixers a tantalizing glimpse of what could be — a dish to fellow oft-injured All-Star Paul George for a layup to open game.

“I thought he got a little tired again in fourth,” coach Nick Nurse said. “I thought he played with some pretty good competitive spirit.”

Embiid, wearing a brace on his surgically repaired left knee, pointed skyward as he hit court for pregame warmups and looked rey to roll for his debut.

He h alrey stuck around for extra work after shootaround. 7-footer was in rush to finish his drills.

Embiid shot free throws, worked on his post game and me soft jumpers during a Tuesday morning workout in preparation of his season debut and his first game playing with George, who joined Sixers over summer on a four-year, $212 million contract.

With Embiid and George, Sixers fell to 2-8 and with undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers in town Wednesday night.

“You just see how much he demands eyes and attention on him,” said George, who led Sixers with 29 points. “For me, a lot of it was just kind of learning. He's a force out re. You've got to find him, you've got to see him.”

Embiid, George and fellow All-Star Tyrese Maxey, out with a right hamstring injury, were 76ers' version of a Big Three that was expected to make m one of big favorites out of East.

trio inste has yet to play a game toger.

“I think it's all about us just getting on floor toger, learning how to play with each or,” Embiid said. “I'm back. PG is feeling pretty good. We just need to get Tyrese back. Once we're all on floor, I think we're going to have a pretty good chance to win some games.”

76ers face an uphill climb into a top seed in East.

re have been 20 teams in NBA history to make playoffs after starting 1-6 or 0-7, though it’s been extremely rare in recent years. In last 27 years, only three teams — 2003-04 Miami Heat (0-7), 2004-05 Chicago Bulls (0-7) and 2021-22 New Orleans Pelicans (1-6) — h such a start and went on to make playoffs.

Embiid's return can only force push toward a winning record.

A seven-time All-Star, Embiid returns from what team called left knee manment and end of a three-game suspension for shoving a member of media.

By his own mission, Embiid says he won’t play back-to-back games this season, meaning he’ll sit out Wednesday against Cleveland. next set of back-to-backs are Dec. 3 at Charlotte and a Dec. 4 home game against Orlando.

Play him at home in front of fans who paid exorbitant ticket prices this season to watch Andre Drummond at center, right?

so fast.

Much like Tuesday's game against Knicks, Hornets game was designated as part of NBA Cup round-robin schedule.

76ers have been open since preseason on how y intended to use Embiid this season — man his minutes and games played to point where y can safely navigate him to postseason healthy for first time in his career.

Nurse, sports science departments and front office face a thorny situation on deciding when Embiid will suit up this season. Plus, with Embiid, re's guarantee he simply won't get injured again, a blow that would send franchise closer to draft lottery than chasing its first NBA championship since 1983.

Embid said he would lobby to play against Cavaliers, a chance to spoil ir perfect start too enticing to sit out again after missing first nine games.

76ers may want to put bubble wrap back on Embiid.

“I kw I said I will never play back-to-backs,” Embiid said, smiling, “but I'm a troll.”

(With AP Inputs)