PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers welcomed Joel Embiid back to the lineup on Tuesday as they played host to the Detroit Pistons. The game completed the home-and-home series as well as the season series.
After missing three games due to left foot soreness, Embiid returned with 36 points and 11 rebounds in 23:56 of action in an easy 147-116 win over the Pistons. Philadelphia led by as many as 41 while handling business at home.
Afterward, the big fella gave an update on how he is feeling after the easy win.
“Better than expected,” he said plainly.
Embiid missed time earlier in the season with the same injury, so one has to wonder if this is the same issue or if this is the plantar fasciitis issue he had before training camp.
“The one that I had earlier in the year landing on someone’s foot,” he clarified. “I don’t know if I did the same thing, but it’s about the same thing so you just got to manage it and basically go based on feeling and stuff.”
Embiid rested the entire fourth quarter against the Pistons.
“He was fine,” said coach Doc Rivers. “He was good. He had his speed back. The fastest I’ve ever seen him run was in the third quarter. I think he knew he had like three minutes left before he came out.”
Embiid and the Sixers play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.
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