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.

Embiid finished with 13 points and five assists along with three rebounds in his return, while the 76ers fell to 2-8.

Midway through the fourth quarter, with the Knicks leading 89-77, Paul George had possession of the ball and appeared to be gearing up to score. Embiid tried to set a screen for his new teammate, but instead of stopping the Knicks defenders, it was George whom he prevented from doing anything after they crashed to each other.