Joel Embiid returns to action for 76ers in preseason finale, first game in nearly 8 months

PHILADELPHIA AP Joel Embiid started for the Philadelphia ers in their preseason finale on Friday night his first challenge action in nearly eight months Embiid was limited to games last season because of injuries The ers were planning for Embiid to have fairly short stints in the preseason matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse stated before the tournament Embiid didn t take long to get going he tried a -pointer which missed on Philadelphia s first possession just seven seconds into the contest He played about six minutes in his first stint to open the meeting then played the first three minutes of the second quarter for his second stint It was Embiid s first tournament since Feb He missed the first nine games of Philadelphia s - season never played more than four consecutive games and wound up being shut down for the final games of the year as the ers sputtered to a - finish Embiid has been engaged in light practices since the ers opened camp and the perennially injured All-Star center has noted in current weeks that there was a plan in place to play following knee surgery in April A two-time NBA scoring champion Embiid had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April following an injury-plagued season that also included a sprained left foot and a sinus fracture He was ruled out for the season in late February after averaging points rebounds and assists I ve had so multiple injuries Embiid reported last month The only thing I ve invariably stated myself is you can t give up AP NBA https apnews com hub NBA Source