Joel Embiid said the first five minutes of his NBA return were "tough", but knows he will become more comfortable as he eases back in with the Philadelphia 76ers. (More Sports News)
Embiid made his first appearance in nine games on Tuesday due to the management of a left knee ailment stemming from the previous season and a three-match suspension.
However, he was unable to stop the 76ers' rough start to the season, going down 111-99 in the NBA Cup to the New York Knicks to move to 2-8 for the season.
Embiid looked understandably rusty in his 26-minute cameo, registering 13 points on 2-for-11 shooting from the field (but 8-for-8 from the free throw line), plus three rebounds, five assists and one block.
"I felt OK," Embiid said afterward. "The first five minutes were rough, but I guess that바카라™s what happens when you haven바카라™t played in a while. I felt after that, I still should be rusty.
"That바카라™s expected, but I thought overall, I felt pretty good health-wise. I think it바카라™s just my trust in myself.
"I thought I was a little timid, so I stuck with a lot of jumpers just to get myself a little comfortable, but as the games go, and I바카라™ll get back to myself, it바카라™s going to be easier."
The first play of the game included Embiid throwing a perfect pass to Paul George for a layup, who cut baseline to get an easy look at the basket.
George had his best game as a Sixer, scoring 29 points on 10-for-19 shooting and 7-for-11 from deep with 10 rebounds as he and Embiid finally got on the floor together for the first time.
"It felt good," Embiid said of the pairing with George. "I thought tonight, he had a nice rhythm which we바카라™re going to need him to keep doing.
"Like I said, my job is to try and make the game easy for all those guys.
"Setting screens and getting them open. Just try to make the game simple. Especially as I바카라™m getting back and trying to feel more confident."
But up next for the 76ers, who find themselves 14th in the Eastern Conference, are the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers, who beat the Chicago Bulls 119-113 on Tuesday.
Embiid has been on record saying he won't play in back-to-backs ever again in his career, but he stated that he will try to give it a go against the Cavs.
"I mean, I want to," Embiid said. "That바카라™s up to those guys. I know I said I바카라™ll never play back-to-backs, but I바카라™m a troll so I바카라™m sure at some point, I바카라™ll play, but if I feel good.
"I feel good right now. We바카라™re gonna see, but it바카라™s up to them."
