Sixers center Joel Embiid made his season debut on Tuesday and was up and down in his first game, scoring just 13 points on 2 of 11 shooting in 26 minutes in a loss to the Knicks. Embiid, sidelined by a left knee problem and a three-game suspension for shoving a reporter, is confident he will return to his usual form as playing time increases ESPN's Tim Bontemps Relay.
“It’s about self-confidence and trusting myself” Embiid said he has returned from his knee injury. “Repel… I talked about this a few weeks ago when I spoke to you guys, this is the mental hurdle I have to overcome. But I think I can still be pretty good without that, and I'll get there eventually. I don't know when. Could be in the next game, maybe two games… (but) I usually get it back pretty quickly, so I'm good.”
The 76ers' 2-8 record in 10 games is tied for the second-worst record in the NBA, albeit with Embiid and Paul George Now that the team is back in action, the trend is going in the right direction from a health perspective. Embiid is looking forward to it Tyrese Maxeyhas returned from a hamstring strain, which will allow Philadelphia's big three to play together for the first time.
“I think it’s just a matter of us getting on the floor together and learning how to play with each other.” Embiid said. “But health is a big thing. I’m back, PG is feeling pretty good, now we need to get Tyrese back and once we’re all on the field I think we’ll have a pretty good chance of winning some games.”
Here's more on the Sixers:
- Both the Sixers and Embiid indicated during training camp that they wanted him to miss a game in back-to-back sets this season to ensure he is as healthy as possible for the playoffs. However, Embiid said after Tuesday's game that he would lobby the team to allow him to play for Wednesday's game against the undefeated Cavaliers. “I know I said I’d never play back-to-backs, but I’m a troll.” Embiid said with a smile, per Bontemps. The decision will ultimately be made by the club's medical staff, emphasizes Bontemps.
- While Embiid struggled individually upon his return to action, his presence made things easier for George, who posted 29 points and 10 rebounds (both season highs) in his best game to date as a Sixer. “It just opens up the floor so much.” George said loudly Gina Mizell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “So I was able to take a lot away from this game about how I can free myself even more and how I can try to help him get into a rhythm and free himself even more.” George added that he feels his conditioning is improving after missing the start of the season due to injury. He has played over 32 minutes in each of his last two games after averaging 26.7 MPG in his first three games.
- rookie after playing a modest role in the Sixers' rotation early in the season Jared McCain has logged more than 30 minutes in each of his last three appearances, averaging 22.7 points per game while shooting .451/.407/1.000. Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports (subscriber link) takes a closer look at why McCain, who struggled in Summer League, is succeeding and what the team should expect from him going forward.