Fans of the Philadelphia 76ers should be excited for Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, as they'll see their first look at their newest star.
Forward Paul George is set to make his Sixers debut tomorrow night, according to Keith Pompey, while there is some less positive news on center Joel Embiid. The star big man is not with the team as Philadelphia readies themselves to face Minnesota in the home arena of the Iowa Wolves, the Timberwolves' G League affiliate.
76ers coach Nick Nurse shared Thursday if Embiid will join the team for their multi-game road trip against the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks.
“He’s not here,” Nurse said. “He’s at a scheduled assessment of his knee. That was always on the schedule. We are still waiting for what’s next.”
It's a smart move by the coaching staff to allow Embiid the proper time needed to rejuvenate his knee to full health. He appeared in less than 40 games last season, as many of his absences came due to injury to his knee.
George, on the other hand, is eager to step foot on the court in a Sixers uniform for various reasons.
“But I think more so just get some conditioning,” George shared. “Try to really blow out my lungs, run the floor, all the intangible stuff. I think the talent, it will make its imprint as the season goes on and we get out of preseason. More so, I’ll be in my game. But it’s keeping up with [Tyrese Maxey], running the floor, giving him space. But like I said, it’s more so the intangibles this preseason.”
Meanwhile, for the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards (rest) and Julius Randle (shoulder) are listed as day-to-day. 76ers vs. Timberwolves tips off at 7:00 PM ET.
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