Joel Embiid has triple-double for 76ers in return after lacking 15 video games

PHILADELPHIA – Joel Embiid hopes his return to the lineup is not only a one-day factor.

The injury-plagued Philadelphia 76ers heart confirmed no rust in his return from a left knee damage that sidelined him for a month, recording his first triple-double of the season Tuesday evening in a victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Embiid — who missed the earlier 15 video games — had 29 factors, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in the Sixers’ 118-116 win. Carrying a big brace on his knee, the seven-time All-Star performed 36 minutes and went 12 of 23 from the sphere and 4 of 9 from the free-throw line.

“I want I might play each recreation,” Embiid mentioned of his expectations for the remainder of the season. “No matter God decides from that time on, I can’t management it. Purpose is to be out there each single evening.”

Nonetheless, coach Nick Nurse mentioned after the sport that Embiid wouldn’t play Wednesday evening in opposition to Miami.

The 30-year-old Embiid appeared in simply his 14th recreation of a season he mentioned has been “extraordinarily” irritating. The Sixers are 8-6 with him and 20-29 total, and so they’ll want him on the ground to make a push towards the playoffs.

“Looking for the positives, like assist and household, but it surely’s powerful,” he mentioned.

Embiid regarded like his common self, particularly down the stretch. His layup with 22 seconds left put Philadelphia up some extent. He grabbed the defensive rebound on the Mavericks’ subsequent possession after which defended the ultimate play of the sport when Dallas turned it over.

“I simply needed to return out aggressive, assert myself in and out,” Embiid mentioned.

Embiid, who was drafted No. 3 total by Philadelphia in 2014, entered the sport averaging 24.4 factors and seven.9 rebounds. He nonetheless thinks the 76ers can flip issues round.

“We simply obtained to get wholesome and keep wholesome,” he mentioned.

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