Embiid struggled in his season debut as the Sixers fell to the Knicks

PHILADELPHIA — It took three extra weeks, but Joel Embiid’s regular season is finally underway.

The superstar center made his season debut Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center against the New York Knicks after sitting out the first nine games to deal with a left knee injury and then serving a three-game suspension for shoving a reporter.

And after a predictable up-and-down performance in 26 minutes — 13 points on 2-for-11 shooting from the field (but 8-for-8 from the free throw line), plus 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 block. — in the 111-99 loss, Embiid said regaining the confidence to straighten his troublesome left knee will take time.

“It’s all about confidence and believing in myself,” he said. “Pushing … I talked about it a few weeks ago when I talked to you, it’s a mental hurdle that I have to overcome. to get to it at some point.

“I don’t know when. It could be the next game, it could be in two games … (but) it usually comes back pretty quickly, so I’m fine.”

Not much good today for the 76ers (2-8), who are 14th in the Eastern Conference standings with a game against the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. It remains to be seen whether Embiid or fellow star Paul George will play.

Previously, the 76ers made it clear that they would prioritize the health of their veteran stars throughout the season. But that’s also before the start of injuries, as Embiid, George (bone bruise in left knee) and Tyrese Maxey (hamstring strain) are all out.

“I think it’s all about us just getting on the floor together, learning how to play with each other,” Embiid said. “But health is important. I’m back, PG is feeling good, now we have to get Tyrese back, and if we’re all on the floor, I think we’ll have a pretty good chance to win some games.”

The Knicks (5-5) don’t have that problem. They have the same starting lineup — Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns — plus sixth man Deuce McBride available for 10 games.

And while Tuesday began with a lot of attention on Embiid’s season debut, it quickly shifted to Towns — the central New Jersey native playing his first game in the rivalry — who had one of his best performances as a Knick.

Towns scored eight points in the opening minutes, finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists, and set the tone with energy on both ends.

“Yeah, obviously Joel is a good defensive player,” Hart said. “But the first game again, you need a little time to get into a rhythm. (City) did what it took, got out of the gate, got some 3s, hit the rim, played the way it needed to be done.

Embiid hasn’t played in a competitive game since the U.S. won gold at the Paris Olympics in August. He hasn’t played for the 76ers since the Knicks beat him in Game 6 of the first round of the playoffs in April.

And against the Knicks on Tuesday night, he looked like a player who has spent time away from the court.

His signature touch on his jumper was absent, and he finished 1-for-5 on 3-pointers. His face-up game was also very slow, with Towns repeatedly succeeding in getting the ball when Embiid was trying to fill drives and causing him to have to reset.

And playing against Towns and the Knicks who often had five players beyond the 3-point line, Embiid spent most of the night circling the court in pursuit of New York’s offensive firepower.

“He’s definitely rusty,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said. “The condition I think appeared quite early. Look at him playing through the previous one, he kind of responded in the second half, after there was a layoff. He seemed to do a little bit, then I thought he was tired again in the fourth. But again, maybe we want him to play with passion competitive which is good for what it can do.

But in the end, the result was another loss for the 76ers. And while the forgiving Eastern Conference standings — in which only the Boston Celtics and Cavaliers are better than .500 — give teams like Philadelphia time to regroup, the 76ers are hoping the process can start now with Embiid’s return.

“It’s been a long season,” George said. “I think once we put all the pieces together, we’re going to start making steps in the right direction. We’re going to get consistency and the chemistry is going to continue. Right now, it’s Joel (Embiid)’s first game back. , Tyrese (Maxey) is still out, so we haven’t seen this team done yet.

“We’re all trying to do more than we should, it’s okay because we’re trying to fill a big void and a big gap, but if we’re full of strength, I think we can. judge how we are.”