Former Kansas center Joel Embiid Struggles in His First Season

Former Kansas center and current Philadelphia 76 player Joel Embiid started for Philadelphia (2-8) on Tuesday night against the New York Knicks (5-5) in the first NBA Cup game of the season.

Embiid, once named NBA MVP, played 26 minutes in a below-average performance and finished the game with 13 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists while struggling from the field (2-for-11).

Embiid will avoid a three-game suspension for pushing a columnist into the locker room after the 76ers game.

Prior to this suspension, Embiid had not seen any in-game action due to his knee injury.

Now in his 11th NBA season (he missed the first two seasons due to injuries), Embiid has put up tremendous numbers as a pro: 27.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.

Embiid’s biggest challenge has been staying healthy, as he has never played more than 68 games in a season.

But Embiid earned All-Star honors in every season in which he played 50 or more games. He finished in the top two in MVP voting in three of those seasons and won the award once in 2022-2023.

The Knicks’ loss at left tackle ensured the Sixers’ worst 10-game start since the 2016-2017 season.

With Embiid’s return (and assuming the big man’s continued health), Philadelphia may be more optimistic going forward. But nothing is guaranteed given Embiid’s background and age (30), and the team already faces an uphill climb to get back into the NBA playoff race.

The 76ers and Joel Embiid will face the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers (12-0) in Philadelphia on Wednesday in the second night of their back-to-back.

WATCH: KJ Adams Thrills Crowd as Kansas Leads North Carolina

WATCH: Kansas Basketball’s Flory Bidunga Soars Against Michigan State

Former Jayhawk Christian Braun Impresses Early in NBA Season