The last image of Joel Embiid playing with the 76ers was him gritting his way through Bell’s palsy and the aftereffects of a left knee injury. He played 40 minutes in Game 6 of the first-round matchup last season against the New York Knicks despite being clearly limited.

It took an extra three weeks, but Joel Embiid's regular season finally is underway. The superstar center made his season debut Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Center against the New York Knicks after sitting out the first nine games to manage his left knee injury and then a three-game suspension for shoving a reporter.

Facing Embiid's Philadelphia 76ers in the opening leg of NBA Cup group play, the Knicks spoiled Embiid's return with a 111-99 victory at Wells Fargo Center. Tuesday marked the first meeting between the Knicks and 76ers since the Atlantic Division rivals did battle in the opening round of last year's playoffs.