Joel Embiid finally took the court for the first time this season, playing 26 minutes in the Philadelphia 76ers' 111-99 loss to the New York Knicks. The MVP big

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid reacts to his return to the floor as well as his back-to-back status against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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 should be paired for the first time with nine-time All-Star Paul George, who missed the first five games with a bone bruise. Embiid, George and fellow All-Star Tyrese Maxey were the 76ers’ version of a Big Three that was expected to make them one of the big favorites out of the Eastern Conference.

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.

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,

With old friend Joel Embiid making his season debut on Tuesday night, the New York Knicks allowed the 2023 MVP to pick up right where he left off. Facing Embiid's Philadelphia 76ers in the opening leg of NBA Cup group play,

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.