The Sixers’ future just met their present: one star’s return, another’s emergence

The next NBA games, on Tuesday, will finally count – the opening night of the 2025–26 regular season. In the last round of preseason tests before the real thing, there was a big story: Joel Embiid made his long-awaited return to the court. The Cameroonian center reappeared without warning – news of his comeback broke just hours before tip-off, after months of uncertainty surrounding his fitness. He hadn’t played since February 22, nearly eight months ago.

What’s happening with Joel Embiid?

After undergoing another arthroscopy on his troubled left knee and enduring one of the toughest stretches of his career, Embiid logged just over 19 minutes, carefully spread out. It was meant as a simple test – one that left a very positive impression. More important, said coach Nick Nurse, was how his star would feel after the game, not during it. “He moved really well, shot well, passed well… honestly, there wasn’t much to criticize,” Nurse said.

“I don’t want to think about the past. I’m in a good place mentally, physically too… happy to touch the ball again, to play and do what I love,” Embiid said after the game. “When that’s taken away from you, it’s hard. So now I’m happy, and that’s all I’m thinking about. I came back, I played, did some things right, helped us win… that’s it, I don’t care about anything else.” He finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and three steals (5-for-10 from the field, 2-for-4 from three). “I’m not going to say I felt like I was 18 again. That’s not happening. I’m taking things day by day. There’ll be good days and bad days… I’m learning, adjusting. I’m here to help. According to some journalists, I’m not even one of the top 100 players in the NBA anymore, so I’ll just figure out how to fit in and help my team.”

At 31, Embiid looked lighter, freer, and at times close to his best rhythm – something that never really appeared last season. He missed the first nine games, never managed more than four in a row, and sat out the final 26 of the regular season. He played only 19 total, and the Sixers, supposed contenders in the East, collapsed to a 24–58 record, effectively tanking to keep a first-round pick that turned into the No. 3 overall selection and the arrival of their future hope, VJ Edgecombe (20).

If Embiid can stay healthy and maintain the tempo he showed in this brief cameo – his first and only preseason outing – the Sixers could have a real present again. That journey begins Wednesday against their fierce rivals, the Celtics. Embiid shook off some rust (he missed his first shot, a three-pointer) before hitting two trademark moves: a silky midrange jumper and a pump fake followed by a drive from the arc. His chemistry with Tyrese Maxey also resurfaced in the third quarter – Maxey poured in 27 points in 30 minutes. Missing, as he will be for a while, was Paul George, the third member of the big three that never materialized last season.

The emerging Edgecombe

But when George does return, he might find things have changed. VJ Edgecombe thrilled the home crowd in his first game in Philadelphia, displaying the all-around energy and physical dominance that made him such a coveted rookie. He finished with 26 points, six rebounds and five steals, punctuated by highlight plays – fast-break dunks off steals, powerful finishes in traffic, and even some smooth shooting in the second half.

To cap off the good news, Quentin Grimes saw his first preseason minutes after resolving his restricted free agency saga, which ended with him signing the $8.7 million qualifying offer. The one-year deal gives him veto power over any trade and makes him an unrestricted free agent next summer. The guard, known as a 3-and-D specialist but proving he’s more than that, posted 22 points, five assists and three steals.

The Sixers took advantage of a shorthanded Wolves team (126–110) that rested its main rotation ahead of its opener Wednesday in Portland. That allowed Nurse to field something close to his planned regular-season lineup. The contest became one-sided, but the main takeaway was clear and immovable: Joel Embiid is back on an NBA floor – and smiling again. Now, all that’s left is for his body, and a little luck, to keep pace.

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