PHILADELPHIA — In a highly anticipated return, 76ers center Joel Embiid made his comeback on Tuesday night against the Dallas Mavericks after an extended absence due to injuries, missing a total of 15 games.

The 30-year-old player has faced numerous setbacks this season, with a left knee injury being the most recent issue that kept him off the court. Surprisingly, Embiid was participating in only his 14th game, highlighting the challenges he has faced throughout the year.

Coach Nick Nurse confirmed that there would be no limitations on Embiid’s playing time, indicating that the plan was for him to be on the floor for approximately 30 minutes, depending on his comfort level during the game. Embiid wasted no time making his presence felt, scoring his first points with a turnaround jumper in the early moments of the first quarter.

Before the match, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd expressed concerns, commenting, “Hopefully we can make it tough on him.” These words underscored the significance of Embiid’s impact on the game.

Drafted third overall by the 76ers in 2014, Embiid entered the matchup averaging 24.4 points and grabbing 7.9 rebounds per game. The Philadelphia team, with a record of 19-29, was sitting in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, making every game crucial for their playoff aspirations.