Coach Brett Brown understands that when the 76ers play their first home preseason game on Thursday, there will be more than the usual bounce in the Wells Fargo Center.
That's because it will be the first time for Sixers fans to see center Joel Embiid, who missed his first two seasons after foot surgeries.
Brown said after practice Wednesday that Embiid would indeed play Thursday against the Washington Wizards.
Embiid made his Sixers debut Tuesday in a 92-89 win in the exhibition opener against the Boston Celtics in Amherst, Mass.
The Sixers will be careful not to overextend Embiid, especially so early in the preseason. He did not participate in practice Wednesday, although he worked off to the side on individual drills.
Most important, Brown said that Embiid was not sore the day after the preseason opener.
Embiid was not available for comment to the local media, but Brown voiced his excitement about the center's highly anticipated debut in Philadelphia.
"I think it is long awaited, well deserved, worth the wait, all those things," Brown said. "To walk him out on the Wells Fargo court, let him get up and down the court here in Philadelphia along with his new teammates, Dario (Saric) included, I just think it is a small sort of just reward for our fans."
Saric also made a successful Sixers debut Tuesday with 10 points, making 2 of 3 shots from beyond the arc.
Brown said he expects to play Embiid much the same way he did on Tuesday. Embiid played in three four-minute intervals. He totaled 12 minutes, 57 seconds and had six points, four rebounds, two blocks and three turnovers.
Brown was asked if it was a relief to finally see Embiid play in a game. "Just excitement trumped relief in my mind," Brown said.
The coach said the challenge continues to be how much to play Embiid. The Sixers no doubt will be careful, especially during the preseason. "He wants to play more, we want to play him more, but it is just not wise at this stage," Brown said.
When the media viewed the end of practice, Embiid was off on another court hoisting shots, showcasing his trademark smile.
At one point, the 7-foot-2, 275-pound Embiid juggled a basketball with his feet a half a dozen times before passing himself the ball and taking a long 3-pointer.
The shot didn't go in, but it again showed the athletic ability that has made fans so eager to see him.
It was the same type of ability he showed on Tuesday when Embiid blocked a dunk attempt by the Celtics' Jaylen Brown. And there was the smooth seven-foot fadeaway jumper over 7-footer Tyler Zeller for his first basket.
Those are the types of plays that Sixers fans have been waiting to see from Embiid in person. On Thursday, the long wait will finally be over.
