Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid played his first game in nearly eight months on Friday, logging 19 minutes in the club’s preseason finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The reigning 2023 MVP finished with 14 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals as the Sixers cruised to a 126-110 victory.
“I’m in a good space mentally, physically,” Embiid said postgame. “I’m happy to touch the basketball, play and help us win.” The All-Star has struggled with left knee problems that limited him to 58 games over the past two seasons, including only 19 last year. He noted the comeback process will continue “day by day,” acknowledging that some days the knee will feel “a little bit tight.”
Maxey, Edgecombe and Grimes fuel Sixers win
Embiid’s return was part of a strong overall night for Philadelphia. Guard Tyrese Maxey poured in 27 points alongside seven assists, four rebounds and two steals in 30 minutes. Rookie VJ Edgecombe, the No. 3 overall pick, tallied 26 points, six rebounds, three assists and five steals in 34 minutes. Quentin Grimes added 22 points, five assists and three steals in his preseason debut, playing 26 minutes.
Head coach Nick Nurse praised Edgecombe’s rapid progress. “It’s almost every single day you see something from his athleticism that makes you say, ‘wow,’” Nurse said. “He’s way ahead of where we thought he might be in terms of running the offense.”
Ingram ready for new chapter with Raptors
Forward Brandon Ingram told Marc J. Spears of Andscape that joining the Toronto Raptors offers a chance to reset after his time with the New Orleans Pelicans. “This team can be whatever we want it to be,” Ingram said. “We have everything on the defensive end. The next thing is execution over and over again on the offensive end. The East is wide open this upcoming season. We have a chance to be better, but we’ve got to expedite it.”
Demin overcomes foot injury to make Nets debut
Brooklyn Nets rookie Egor Demin, selected eighth overall in June, revealed he suffered a plantar fascia tear in his foot before the draft, not during Summer League as previously thought. The injury sidelined him for most of training camp and preseason, but he does not expect to require surgery and plans to monitor the condition throughout the year.
Demin appeared in his first preseason game on Thursday, contributing 14 points and five rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench during a five-point loss to Toronto. Head coach Jordi Fernández called the teenager “excellent,” lauding his composure and decision-making while noting the team will “keep building him up physically to be able to sustain more minutes.”
The Atlantic Division clubs close preseason play this weekend before turning their attention to opening night next week.
Source: Hoops Rumors
