Joel Embiid filled up the stat sheet in limited minutes during his first game back on the NBA court since getting shutdown in late February of the last season. The Philadelphia 76ers star scored 14 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and had eight assists in the 19 minutes during pre-season game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The 2023 MVP is a monster scorer but on Friday, he decided to become a playmaker. He only records around five assists per game since arriving in the league.
Embiid teased that it is him trying to help the team in any way possible. He said that while also acknowledging the snub he is getting from certain publications when it comes to their Top 100 players list.
“I see all these guys. I’m here to help out. According to a lot of your peers, I’m not even a top 100 basketball player in this league,” he told reporters after the win over the Wolves, their first W in the pre-season.
The ranking the Sixers star is referring to is The Ringer’s list that had him outside of the Top 100. Other publications have him outside of Top 20, putting asterisk on his ranking saying he has to be healthy first to be considered among the league’s best.
Embiid on the thinking behind his hit-ahead passes tonight: “I see all these guys. I’m here to help out. According to a lot of your peers, I’m not even a top 100 basketball player in this league. So I guess I just gotta fit in and see where I can help the team win.” pic.twitter.com/nb76QuWHPQ
— Austin Krell (@NBAKrell) October 18, 2025
Sixers are regarded by many pundits as among the best teams in the league, maybe can conquer the East, if ever the core of the team is healthy.
Joel Embiid is diversifying his game
Embiid is a man that is going to play with a chip on his shoulder. He will be a man on a mission, big thanks to those who doubt him.
The best part about his game right now is that he is more committed to affecting the game in different ways, something he said that will also be helpful for his body.
“So I guess I just gotta fit in and see where I can help the team win. If that’s playing defense, stretching the floor, that’s what I’m going to do.
“But, we just got a bunch of athletes. So you gotta release them. Their job is – when you get the ball, run. My job is to try and find them.
“In a way, that also kinda saves me, since with easy baskets I don’t have to run up and down, and I can just let those guys push the pace, attack. And if we don’t have anything, I’m always trying many ways in my career.”
Embiid is expected to be there for his team on the opening night against the Boston Celtics.
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