Tyrese Maxey, and the rest of the 76ers, were thrilled to have their MVP back for a must-win game three on Friday night.
"I was so happy to see 21 hanging in the locker room with the mask or whatever," Maxey said after Embiid, donning a protective mask, posted a double-double in his first game back from a broken orbital bone and concussion. "He's a solider. Thumb, mask, concussion, broken face, makes him look even uglier now, but he's resilient. He's MVP for a reason.
"The attention he demands is great for us. Just a testament to his will and wanting to win."
Embiid's presence helped Philly get back in the series, which a chance to pull even at two games apiece in game four on Sunday in Philadelphia. With Embiid back in the fold, despite his fractured orbital bone and torn ligament in his thumb, the Sixers like their chances a lot more regardless of Embiid being 100 percent or not.
"We needed him, and he showed up," James Harden said. "He delivered. It's not about him scoring 30-40 points, it's about his presence. His presence alone gives us energy. His communication, his dominance, is very important to this team."
