Joel Embiid played his first game for the Philadelphia 76ers in nearly eight months Friday, finishing with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists in the team’s 126-110 preseason victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Embiid remained on track to participate in next week’s season opener at the Boston Celtics barring any setbacks. Embiid moved well on the court and appeared to have shed the bulky brace that frustrated him throughout last season.
“I don’t want to really think about the past,” Embiid said. “I’m just in a good space mentally, physically. I’m just happy to touch the basketball and be able to play basketball and do what I love.”
Embiid last played on February 22 against Brooklyn before undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee weeks later. He sat out the entire 2024-25 season’s second half and played just 19 games total last year.
Tyrese Maxey contributed 27 points in 30 minutes, reflecting the 76ers’ overall offensive efficiency in the tuneup. The first-year performance from No. 3 draft pick VJ Edgecombe highlighted the team’s depth, with the guard posting 26 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals in 34 minutes.
Edgecombe’s athleticism and playmaking reaffirmed Nurse’s decision to slot him into the starting five for opening night. Quentin Grimes, meanwhile, made his preseason debut after signing an $8.7 million qualifying offer and posted 22 points with 5 assists off the bench.
Paul George remained sidelined as he continues rehabilitation from July knee surgery. While George has participated in practices this week, he still must clear additional steps before returning to game action.
“Pretty good,” Nurse said of Embiid’s overall performance. “I thought he moved good, played good, shot it good, passed it good. I didn’t see too many negatives out there.”
“I mean, I won’t say I feel like I was 18 years old again,” Embiid said with a smile, when asked if he felt like the past few weeks have gone as well as could be expected in his ramp-up to the season. “That’s never going to happen. But I’m just taking it day by day. Like I said, just learning. Some days are going to be good, some days I’m going to be a little bit tight, so learn from it and adjust and keep doing the right things.”