The last image of Joel Embiid playing with the 76ers was him gritting his way through Bell’s palsy and the aftereffects of a left knee injury. He played 40 minutes in Game 6 of the first-round matchup last season against the New York Knicks despite being clearly limited.

Joel Embiid is expected to make his season debut for the Sixers after injuries and a suspension for shoving a reporter.

Though a Martin layup soon after tied the game at 54-all, the Sixers failed to grab momentum. The Knicks went up 68-60 on a Miles McBride three and Brunson ultimately returned to the action with 4:14 left in the third quarter.