Joel Embiid Shines in Preseason Debut Against Minnesota: “I’m just happy to touch the basketball”

Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid made his preseason debut last night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In just 18 minutes of action, the seven-time All-Star posted 14 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals.

“I don’t want to really think about the past,” Embiid said. “I’m just in a good space mentally, physically. … I’m just happy to touch the basketball and be able to play basketball and do what I love”.

Barring any setbacks, Embiid is expected to be available for head coach Nick Nurse in the regular-season opener against the Boston Celtics.

“I mean, I won’t say I feel like I was 18 years old again,” Embiid said with a smile, when asked if he felt like the past few weeks have gone as well as could be expected in his ramp-up to the season. “That’s never going to happen. But I’m just taking it day by day. Like I said, just learning. Some days are going to be good, some days I’m going to be a little bit tight, so learn from it and adjust and keep doing the right things.”