Apr 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid reacts with Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) after the game at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
PHILADELPHIA — Nick Nurse couldn't name a full starting lineup during his media availability ahead of Friday's preseason finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
One thing he could promise? Joel Embiid would be in it.
The objective is simple - get the superstar big man through the game healthy.
"See how he reacts in-game, see how he reacts out of game. But just getting him out there is the main thing and then just see what he looks like," Nurse told reporters on Friday evening.
His reaction, both mentally and physically, will be paramount.
The Sixers have a number of minutes in mind for Embiid's return to the court.
"Do I have a rough sense? Yeah. I think it'll be fairly short. But I think we're going to try to get him into the second half, hopefully. But we'll see," Nurse said.
The head coach anticipates a high dose of the two-man game between Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Ideally, they'll "sprinkle in" some of the new material the Sixers have been working on behind closed doors, as well.
It's a preseason game. One that will mean nothing when all is said and done. But it's a game for which Philadelphia has been holding its breath for months.
After that? The days to come will tell the organization - and the NBA - a lot.
