Joel Embiid returns after eight-month layoff, leads 76ers past Timberwolves in preseason finale

Key facts

• Embiid missed the 2024-25 season after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in April.
• He played his first preseason game since October 23, 2023.
• Embiid recorded 14 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 3 steals in 19 minutes.
• Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 27 points; VJ Edgecombe added 26 points and 5 steals.
• Paul George, signed last offseason, also underwent knee surgery this summer and remains out.
• The 76ers finished 24-58 last season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
• Embiid, George and Maxey played only 15 games together last season.

Embiid makes long-awaited return

Joel Embiid stepped onto the court for the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night for the first time in nearly eight months, playing in the team's preseason finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The former MVP logged 19 minutes, contributing 14 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 3 steals in a 126-110 victory. Embiid had been sidelined since February due to left knee pain, which ultimately required arthroscopic surgery in April. His return marks his first preseason appearance since October 23, 2023, and came earlier than many expected after he participated in a public scrimmage on October 12.

Rookie Edgecombe breaks out alongside Maxey, Grimes

Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 27 points, while rookie VJ Edgecombe shook off a sluggish start to preseason with 26 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals. Quentin Grimes added 22 points, and Leonard Miller paced the Timberwolves with 21 points. Edgecombe's performance was a breakout after two quiet preseason outings, and the 76ers' three-guard lineup of Maxey, Grimes and Edgecombe each surpassed 20 points, showcasing the depth Philadelphia hopes to rely on this season.

Embiid’s cautious approach and altered playing style

Embiid downplayed expectations during media day last month, saying, "Our goal is to stay consistent, not like last year." In his return, he displayed a shift in offensive approach: only three of his 10 shots came from inside the paint, and he frequently operated from beyond the arc, making 2 of 3 three-pointers. He also dished 8 assists in under 20 minutes, often finding teammates on handoffs and fast-break passes. While the outside-oriented game reduces his physical toll, it raises concerns about rebounding. The 76ers have historically been a poor rebounding team, and with Embiid avoiding heavy contact, the burden falls on big men like Adem Bona, Dom Barlow and Walker to secure boards. Still, Embiid's mobility and defensive awareness impressed, as he disrupted passing lanes and pushed the ball in transition.

Last season’s collapse and the missing third star

The 76ers finished 24-58 last season, 13th in the Eastern Conference, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Injuries plagued the roster: Embiid played only 38 regular-season games, and Paul George, signed to a max contract last offseason, also underwent knee surgery this summer and remains out. The trio of Embiid, George and Maxey — once envisioned as a dominant big three — appeared together in just 15 games last season. George's absence means the full-strength lineup will not debut on opening night, though Embiid is expected to be available.

Embiid’s playoff heroics and humorous health update

Embiid’s return to form echoes his performance in the 2023 playoffs, when he returned from an emergency appendectomy just before the postseason. After missing the Play-In game and the first three games against the Boston Celtics, he came back in Game 4 with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and later posted 34 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists in a Game 7 victory that completed a 4-3 upset. During that series, Embiid briefly left the court with a brace on his lower section and limped after a collision with Jaylen Brown. When asked about his health afterward, he joked, "I feel great, I feel amazing. I was faking it." The 76ers have not yet released their injury report for the season opener against the New York Knicks on Monday at 8:00 p.m. EST.

Outlook: A healthier foundation for a playoff push

Embiid’s preseason debut signals a promising start, but the 76ers remain cautious. His adjusted style — more perimeter-oriented, less reliant on post-ups — could reduce injury risk and extend his availability. The emergence of Edgecombe and the continued production of Maxey and Grimes provide offensive balance. Yet questions linger: Can Embiid maintain his mobility over a full season? Will Paul George return in time to build chemistry? And can Philadelphia’s rebounding hold up against elite teams? The answers will determine whether the 76ers can reclaim a spot in the Eastern Conference hierarchy after a lost season.

The bottom line

• Joel Embiid returned from an eight-month injury layoff, playing 19 minutes with 14 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds.
• Rookie VJ Edgecombe scored 26 points, breaking out after two quiet preseason games.
• Embiid adopted a perimeter-oriented style, taking only three shots in the paint and dishing 8 assists.
• The 76ers finished 24-58 last season and missed the playoffs; Embiid, George and Maxey played just 15 games together.
• Paul George remains out after knee surgery; the full big three will not debut on opening night.
• Embiid is expected to play in the season opener against the New York Knicks on Monday.