3 observations after Embiid makes rusty return, Sixers fall to Knicks 

Towns then immediately showed off his stretch five skills, swishing three-pointers on the Knicks’ first two shots. 

Embiid couldn’t hit two early jumpers and didn’t score until a pair of foul shots at the 1:40 mark of the first quarter. He exhibited classic signs of rust with moments of deliberate, hesitant decision-making. Embiid had a fruitless post-up against Towns when he drove baseline but elected not to squeeze off a shot, instead passing out to the perimeter. The Sixers committed a shot clock violation on the play. 

Embiid’s stints were expectedly briefer than usual. In general, his movement and ability to handle contact both appeared unconcerning. He drew eight first-half free throws and made every one. 

The Sixers’ entry passing to Embiid was problematic at times. They struggled to find good angles when New York fronted the seven-time All-Star, giving Embiid few chances to use his power inside against smaller defenders. With more game reps, that particular issue should presumably improve. 

A little over a week since George’s return from a left knee bone bruise, his minutes are also not entirely unrestricted yet. He played 32 Tuesday. Along with that game-opening play, there were still small flashes of the George-Embiid duo’s potential two-man chemistry. Embiid nodded approvingly at George after setting a drag screen that let him sink a pull-up three late in the second quarter. 

Whenever he’s on the floor, Embiid is guaranteed to attract considerable attention. The Sixers ran a nice Horns set early in the third quarter that started with Embiid bringing the ball up and using a Lowry back screen. The Knicks’ worry about Embiid allowed Caleb Martin to dish to George for a wing three. 

Of course, the Sixers eventually expect Embiid to be a much better jump shooter and offensive hub than he was Tuesday. Health permitting, his track record strongly suggests he’ll get back to that norm.

George keeps Sixers competitive

George was by far the Sixers’ best player in the first half. 

He swatted away an Anunoby layup attempt, began 3 for 3 from the floor and scored nine of the Sixers’ first 11 points.

Both George and Martin were highly effective on Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson, who was scoreless in the first quarter and missed his first five field goals Tuesday. Martin intercepted a Brunson pass in the closing seconds of the first period and coasted ahead for a slam that cut the Knicks’ lead to 27-25.