The last image of Joel Embiid playing with the 76ers was him gritting his way through Bell’s palsy and the aftereffects of a left knee injury. He played 40 minutes in Game 6 of the first-round matchup last season against the New York Knicks despite being clearly limited.

Joel Embiid is expected to make his season debut for the Sixers after injuries and a suspension for shoving a reporter.

Joel Embiid has had a controversial start to the 2024-25 NBA season without playing a game. Here's what happened and why he's on the cusp of returning.

You have to expect there to be hiccups and ... stuff like that,” Caleb Martin said. “You understand that’s what comes with putting a new team together and bringing pieces back.”

Though a Martin layup soon after tied the game at 54-all, the Sixers failed to grab momentum. The Knicks went up 68-60 on a Miles McBride three and Brunson ultimately returned to the action with 4:14 left in the third quarter.

Joel Embiid had a predictably up-and-down performance across 26 minutes in his season debut for the 76ers, who now stand at 2-8 after a loss Tuesday night to the Knicks.

Embiid also delivers a sense of relief for a team ranked last in rebounding (39.4 per game), 28th in free-throw percentage (.739), 27th in scoring (107 ppg) and 26th in field-goal percentage.

OG Anunoby scored 24 points and the New York Knicks spoiled 76ers star Joel Embiid’s season debut, beating Philadelphia 111-99 in the opener of NBA Cup group play for both teams

Joel Embiid returned to a rousing ovation from 76ers fans in his first game of the season, a start marred by injuries and suspension to the All-Star center that kept Philadelphia anchored at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

Not only was this a playoff rematch from April, but it was also the NBA Cup opener and the return of Joel Embiid who made his season debut. Embiid didn't have a normal dominant night for Philadelphia as he had 13 points,