Embiid also delivers a sense of relief for a team ranked last in rebounding (39.4 per game), 28th in free-throw percentage (.739), 27th in scoring (107 ppg) and 26th in field-goal percentage.

Joel Embiid is expected to play this week for the Philadelphia 76ers — barring another setback, and there is always that chance with the 7-footer — after he won Olympic gold, signed a contract extension,

Star, Embiid returns from what the team, languishing at 2-7, called left knee management and the end of a three-game suspension for shoving a member of the media.