Sixers notes: Embiid, George, McCain

Sixes center Joel Embiid made his season debut on Tuesday and had an up-and-down showing in his first game back, scoring just 13 points on 2-of-11 shooting in 26 minutes in a loss to the Knicks. Embiid, sidelined by a left knee problem and a three-game suspension for shoving a reporter, is confident he will return to his usual form as he plays more, as Tim Bontemps of ESPN relays.

“It’s about confidence and trusting myself,” Embiid said of returning from his knee injury. “Pushing off … I talked about it a couple of weeks ago when I talked to you guys, that’s the mental hurdle I have to get to. But I think I can still be pretty good even without it, which I’ll get to at some point. I don’t know when. Maybe next game, maybe two games … (but) usually get it back, so I’m fine.”

The 76ers’ 2-8 record through 10 games is tied for the second-worst mark in the NBA, but with Embiid and Paul George back in action, the team is trending in the right direction from a health perspective. Embiid is looking forward to Tyrese Maxeyreturns from a hamstring strain that will allow Philadelphia’s big three to play together for the first time.

“I think it’s about us just getting on the floor together and learning to play with each other.” Embiid said. “But health is a big thing. I’m back, PG’s feeling pretty good, now we’ve got Tyrese back and when we’re all on the floor, I think we’ve got a pretty good chance to win some games.”

Here’s more on the Sixers:

• The Sixers and Embiid both indicated during training camp that the plan would be for him to sit one game in back-to-back sets this season to ensure he is as healthy as possible for the playoffs. However, Embiid said after Tuesday’s game that he would lobby the team to let him suit up for Wednesday’s matchup with the undefeated Cavaliers. “I know I said I never want to play back-to-backs, but I’m a troll,” Embiid said with a smile, per Bontemps. The decision will ultimately be made by the club’s medical staff, notes Bontemps.
  (UPDATE: Both Embiid and George have been excluded for Wednesday’s game against the Cavaliers due to knee injury management.)
• While Embiid struggled individually in his return to action, his presence made things easier for George, who had 29 points and 10 rebounds (both season highs) in his best game yet as a Sixer. “He just opens up the floor so much,” George said accordingly Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “So it was a lot for me to take away from this game about how I can free myself even more and how I can try to help him get into a rhythm and free himself even more.” George added that he feels his fitness is improving after his own early season injury absence. He has played over 32 minutes in each of his last two games after averaging 26.7 MPG in his first three outings.
• After playing a modest role in the Sixers’ rotation to open the season, the rookie Jared McCain has logged over 30 minutes in each of his last three appearances, averaging 22.7 points per game. Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports (subscriber link) takes a closer look at why McCain, who struggled in the Summer League, is having success and what the team should expect from him going forward.