All Eyes On Joel Embiid As Sixers Face New York Knicks

When the Philadelphia Sixers return to the hardwood against the New York Knicks in an NBA Cup game tonight, they will have some help.

All-Star center Joel Embiid is not on the teams injury report, and is set to make his season debut in what will be the teams first game of group play for the NBA Cup.

The 2022-2023 NBA MVP has yet to appear in a game this season, missing nine games, managing a knee injury, and then serving a three-game suspension for shoving a reporter.

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The team signed Paul George in the offseason to pair with Embiid, but the duo has yet to show fans what they can do together. Tonight will be the first opportunity to see if they can salvage what has been a 2-7 start to the season.

"We're not where we want to be without the big fellow, George admitted to reporters. He is the piece. No doubt about it, you get somebody back like that it will make everybody's job a little easier".

In four games without Embiid, George is scoring 14.3 points, grabbing 4.8 rebounds, and dishing out 5.8 assists per game.

So what can fans expect to see when the duo makes their debut on the floor together?

As George mentioned, Embiid makes everyone's job easier, so you can expect the role players to get better looks and better shots from the perimeter. Embiid's return will also help bolster the team's defense, giving them a much-needed presence in the paint, which should lead to more fast break opportunities.

Many NBA observers think that Geoge and Embiid will be a perfect complement, but the duo will have to play without Tyrese Maxey for at least the next few weeks. Who will get the Maxey minutes will be interesting, after rookie Jared McCain's last two games, he appears like someone who might be a longer look with Maxey on the sidelines.

The team has gone with veteran Kyle Lowry in the starting lineup, but will Nick Nurse look for some more offense with McCain, or bring him off the bench?

A lineup could look like; McCain, Kelly Oubre Jr., Paul George, Caleb Martin, and Joel Embiid.

It will be Embiid's first game against the new-look Knicks, who added Karl Anthony Towns in a trade with Minnesota in the offseason. Embiid averaged 33 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 5.7 assists in six playoff games last year in Philadelphia’s first-round loss to New York.

You can listen to Embiid's return to the floor tonight at 7:30 with Tom McGinnis calling all the action on 97.3 ESPN.