The Silver Lining of Joel Embiid’s Rusty Performance
The Philadelphia 76ers made their debut NBA Cup debut against the New York Knicks last night. Also, Joel Embiid made his debut for the Sixers after missing multiple games. The Sixers lost to the New York Knicks 111-99. However, Embiid’s presence gives hope to Sixers fans as the team’s performance elevated. How did Embiid’s return influence the team’s performance on Tuesday night?
Joel Embiid’s Performance
Embiid’s debut performance for the 2024-25 season was rusty. On the other hand, it came with a better team outlook. The All-NBA center finished with 13 points, five assists, three rebounds, one block, and two turnovers over 26 minutes. Joel Embiid shot 2-for-11 from the field and 1-for-5 from downtown. Apart from his rusty shooting night, Embiid went to the foul line eight times to cap off his performance. Other players had open shoot opportunities because the New York Knicks double-teamed the Sixers center. This situation called for more playmaking skills to give the Sixers an advantage. That’s why Joel Embiid garnered five assists.
Players who benefited from Embiid’s double-teams were Jared McCain and Paul George. George was the Sixers’ team leader in performance. The All-Star power forward bagged 29 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block. McCain was impressive against the New York Knicks. The rookie scored 23 points with three rebounds and two assists. These players were the best performers for the Sixers.
Embiid’s Comment On His Performance
Joel Embiid made comments on his performance, Paul George’s health status, and the “Big Three.” The Sixers center wasn’t expected to score 30+ points in his first game. Normally, it takes time for Embiid to get his footing on the court. Thus, it’s the All-NBA center’s time to ramp up after tending to his injury. During a postgame interview, Joel Embiid told the Philadelphia Inquirer reporter, Keith Pompey that the team would be fine.
“Based on the history, I think us on the floor we’ll be fine. I think it’s all about everybody getting on the same page. And right now, I’m still trying to figure out the best way to help. I came into this season, I wanted to let everybody just play, making sure to get open. But then again, I can also adjust if I have to do what I did last year, then I’m going to do it. So I think it’s all about us just getting on the floor together, learning how to play with each other. But health is a big thing.”
Joel Embiid also made a brief comment on Paul George. When George made his debut for the 2024-25 season, the power forward struggled a bit offensively. Last night against the New York Knicks, the nine-time All-Star almost got a 30-point double-double. His mid-range and attempt from deep were clinical. “PG is feeling pretty good. Now, we need to get Tyrese back. Once we are all on the floor, I think we are going to have a pretty good chance to win some games,” Embiid said on George’s health.
During the interview, Embiid told the reporters that he was fine and healthy. The All-NBA center expressed that he has to trust himself and get more comfortable as he ramps up on the court. With time, the Sixers center will get in his bag and start making more plays. He is one of the best players in the league and will look to regain his form sooner rather than later.
Final Thoughts
Joel Embiid’s return is a good sign for the Philadelphia 76ers. Though Embiid said he wouldn’t play in back-to-back games, the possibility looms as he and George may play against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers have been a formidable team since the 2024-25 season commenced, going 12-0. With Embiid on the court, the Sixers could be more competitive and make the game exciting to watch.
