Joel Embiid is sluggish, 76ers problems return with a one-sided loss to the Knicks

Joel Embiid returned to an NBA basketball court for the first time this season on Tuesday.

But he didn't return to playing shape. Embiid struggled on the field and was sluggish in his first game of the season as the New York Knicks secured a 111-99 victory over Embiid's Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Cup game.

After missing the first nine games of the season, Embiid finished the game with 13 points, three rebounds, five assists and one block. He shot 2 of 11 from the field and scored eight of his 13 points from the free throw line. He played 26 minutes.

Embiid missed the first six games of the season for what the team described as “left knee management” and the following three due to an NBA suspension for shoving a reporter.

Embiid got the start against the Knicks and quickly found himself out of breath from his first live basketball appearance since the Summer Olympics in Paris. He raised his hand to call a break with 7:10 left in the first quarter with New York leading 12-6. When he left the field he was 0-2 with one assist and one turnover.

Embiid walked into the locker room with a bandage around his left knee that was surgically repaired last season. His exit was short-lived and he played a total of 13 minutes in the first half without scoring a field goal. He entered the break with eight points and four rebounds, with all of his points coming at the free throw line. He missed all three of his shots in the first half.

Embiid was active early in the third quarter but continued to miss his shots en route to an 0-5 start from the field. His first basket of the night and the season came three minutes into the third quarter on a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer that cut the Knicks' lead to 61-60.

But there were few highlights for Embiid as Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns made the most of the battle of the All-Star big men. The 76ers stayed close through three quarters, but the Knicks pulled away late and had a 33-24 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

76ers fans left the arena in droves with 4:17 left and New York holding a 97-83 lead. Embiid prevailed 6:21 in the final game.

The game marked the first time Embiid played alongside his new All-Star teammate Paul George, who arrived from the Los Angeles Clippers via an offseason trade. Philadelphia fans are still waiting to witness the debut of their new-look Big 3, while All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey watched from the bench as he is expected to be sidelined for several weeks with a hamstring injury.

The good news for the 76ers on Tuesday is that George had an outstanding performance alongside Embiid in one of his best games since joining the team. George finished the game with 29 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and three assists while making 7 of 11 3-pointers. However, no victory came, and a 76ers team with title aspirations fell to 2-8 to start the season.

The hope in Philadelphia lies in the prospect of Embiid, George and Maxey playing together enough to build chemistry, lead the 76ers to the playoffs and stay healthy in the postseason. Given Philadelphia's injury history and stated plan to limit George and Embiid's playing time even when healthy, this is a bleak prospect.

If he can stay healthy, there are certainly better days ahead for Embiid, who is an MVP player at his best. The 76ers will need this version of Embiid to come along quickly before their season spirals out of control.