Joel Embiid’s return prompts a ‘pleased’ reaction from Nick Nurse

Joel Embiid returned to the field Friday night for the first time in eight months, playing in the Philadelphia 76ers‘ preseason finale against Minnesota. The 76ers came away with a 126-110 victory, seeing how their franchise center will look after such a long absence. The the night also belonged to rookie VJ Edgecombewho put on a show with 26 points.

ESPN senior reporter Tim Bontemps posted on X that coach Nick Nurse was pleased with what he saw from Embiid.

“Nick Nurse said he was happy with how Joel Embiid looked and that the game went according to plan, and now the focus is on how his body responds to the game, but that it was a very positive performance,” Bontemps wrote.

Embiid scored 14 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in just 19 minutes of action. He added three steals and nearly had a triple-double on his way back into the game. The 76ers outscored the Timberwolves by 12 points during his time on the floor.

This was Embiid’s first game since February, when he was ejected after just 19 games. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in April after persistent swelling and pain in his left knee, which kept him out for the season. Philadelphia limped to a disastrous 24-58 and missed the playoffs.

Sister stuck to her plan to keep Embiid minutes limited throughout the competition. The big man played roughly six minutes to start the game, returned for three minutes early in the second quarter and reappeared in the third before leaving the fourth quarter entirely as part of the team’s careful approach.

The caution reflects Philadelphia’s determination to keep its star healthy for what they hope will be a deep playoff run. The 76ers added Paul George last offseason to form a new big three along with Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, but the success of that trio depends on Embiid’s availability. Philadelphia opens the regular season against the Boston Celtics on Oct. 22, although George remains unavailable for that match.

The focus now shifts to how Embiid’s body responds to game action and whether he’ll be ready to start the season. After last season’s collapse, the 76ers need their MVP center healthy and on the court if they hope to compete in the Eastern Conference.