NFL NBA MLB NCAAF SOCCER FANTASY TSN NHL facebook twitter NBA NEWS SCOREBOARD STANDINGS NBA 3H AGO Joel Embiid: How did the Sixers superstar perform in his return against Timberwolves? WRITTEN BY NICK METALLINOS Share FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL COPY LINK (NBA Getty Images) NBA BASKETBALL MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES PHILADELPHIA 76ERS Joel Embiid made his long-awaited return to the Philadelphia 76ers lineup on Saturday night, and despite missing nine games while under the league's health and safety protocols, Embiid looked like he hadn't missed a beat. NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial) Embiid entered health and safety protocols on November 8 after contracting Covid, and in his absence, the team went 2-7 in that stretch, including five straight losses following the announcement that he would be out. There was speculation that Embiid had "ramped up" his conditioning in preparation to return this week, and it was announced just prior to the game against the Timberwolves that Embiid would start. Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris will play for Sixers tonight, source tells ESPN. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 27, 2021 Embiid had played in nine of the Sixers' first ten games - only missing one to rest - prior to entering the health and safety protocols, and was averaging 21.4 points and 9.6 rebounds in those games. There may have been concerns about Embiid's endurance after missing so many games, but he played 45 minutes in the double-overtime loss to Minnesota, tallying a double-double of 42 points and 14 rebounds. MORE: Joel Embiid returns to the Sixers STEP BACK, EMVPIID. pic.twitter.com/GUcGnaIn4Q — Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 28, 2021 Embiid displayed the full arsenal in his bag, low-post drop-steps, 3-pointers, and step-back mid-range jump shots. EMVPIID with the go-ahead triple.👌 pic.twitter.com/NOqJ7vxQKe — Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 28, 2021 Over the course of the two extra sessions, he scored 13 of the team's 20 points but he had no answer for the Timberwolves' two late buckets that sealed the game. This game was Embiid's 14th career 40-10 double-double game, the most by a 76ers since the 1981-82 season. With the loss, the Sixers drop to 10-10 on the season with a home game against Orlando to come on Monday before a four-game road trip. LATEST NEWS Suns proving last season's NBA Finals run was no fluke with 16-game win streak PHOENIX SUNS 2H AGO John Wall could return to the Houston Rockets HOUSTON ROCKETS 6H AGO Sixers Joel Embiid to make return vs Timberwolves PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 7H AGO NBA Rookie Ladder: Cade Cunningham is making a push for the top spot NBA 11/27/2021 'Very frustrated', 'Disgusted': LeBron James, Anthony Davis react to Lakers collapse in triple overtime loss against Kings LOS ANGELES LAKERS 11/27/2021 MORE Privacy Policy Careers Shop Manage Preferences Share Share We Care About Your Privacy We and our partners store and/or access information on a device, such as unique IDs in cookies to process personal data. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to provide: Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. List of Partners (vendors) I Accept Reject All Show Purposes