After weeks of anticipation, the 2-7 Sixers finally saw their franchise superstar return to the starting lineup tonight. Unfortunately, Joel Embiid couldn’t deliver according to the expectations that arose during his time on the sidelines.
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He failed to convert any field goals and scored all eight of his first-half points from the charity stripe. Furthermore, the 2023 MVP appeared exhausted early, requesting to be subbed out in the 1st quarter itself.
All of this added to the fact that Philadelphia faced a double-digit deficit against the New York Knicks in the first half, frustrated Shaquille O’Neal. The four-time NBA champion did not hold back against the Cameroonian-American center, calling him out during TNT’s half-time show.
“This is the fear I had for Joel Embiid. You announce arrogantly, I’m not playing back-to-backs, Ernie. I’m not injured but I’m sore. I’ll come in when I want to come back. Now, when you say things like that, you’re supposed to come back with extra energy. 0 for 3?”
O’Neal explained that it wasn’t even the inefficiency he took issue with, but the lack of aggressiveness. As a big man who played 19 seasons and faced his own share of injuries, he understands the rust that can accumulate through extended absences. But for the 2000 NBA MVP, what’s inexcusable is Embiid attempting just 3 shots in the first half.
“I say this respectfully, Joel Embiid will never win a championship until he gets his mind and his attitude right,” Shaq declared.
"Joel Embiid will never win a championship until he gets his mind and his attitude right" 👀
Shaq gives his take on Embiid's first half performance and his future 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/GQJHHVPrfK
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) November 13, 2024
It’s hard to argue with the Big Aristotle as Philly’s chances of finishing the season with home-court advantage are looking dismal. The 76ers lost their home game 99-111 and are now 2-8 on the season.
Embiid’s return saw him put up just 13 points in 26 minutes. Though he did tally 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 block, the seven-time All-Star shot just 2 of 11 from the field and 1 of 5 from three while turning the ball over twice.
Given how poor the Sixers’ paint presence has been in his absence, Joel’s return did provide some much-needed rim deterrence, but the 7-footer hardly looked like the dominant center Wells Fargo has grown to love. He allowed Karl-Anthony Towns to rack up 21 points and looked a bit slow while guarding the Dominican-American big.
It was a rusty debut, to say the least. Embiid missed the first six games of the season as he was managing an injury to his left knee. He then missed three more games for shoving a reporter.
Though Joel is now cleared for action, he is unlikely to play tomorrow against the 12-0 Cleveland Cavaliers as the superstar has proclaimed he will not play in back-to-back games for the rest of his career. Halfway through game week 4, the 76ers find themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, one game above the Toronto Raptors
