Joel Embiid’s return after three weeks out with a knee issue was supposed to spark the Philadelphia 76ers back to life, but the night turned into a long, draining battle – one they ultimately lost 142-134 in double overtime to the Atlanta Hawks. It was an unstable game, full of mistakes, momentum swings, and questionable officiating.

For the first time this season, Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey shared the floor. The group’s energy, however, couldn’t erase the effects of so many missed minutes together. Maxey carried the load: 44 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds in 52 minutes – a marathon performance that kept Philly afloat.

Embiid finished with 18 points in 30 minutes, but couldn’t participate in the second OT. His focus was evaluating how the knee responded:

The first half was positive. After almost a month out and only two on-court sessions, it’s normal for everything to feel more complicated. I’m happy to be back playing and to build from here. I don’t judge myself by whether my shots go in or not – I care about how I move laterally, how I jump. It was an important step forward.

Joel Embiid

Minutes were limited for VJ Edgecombe as well, who returned from a calf issue and was pleased with how he felt on the court. On a night full of aches, restrictions, and controlled rotations, Nick Nurse summed it up succinctly:

That was pretty much all they had to give, honestly.

Nick Nurse

The loss stings – no point sugarcoating it. But Embiid’s return and Maxey’s performance show that the Sixers’ potential is still largely untapped. They need time, they need continuity. And maybe, every now and then, a night a little less chaotic than this one.