Watch: 76ers' Joel Embiid runs out of gas early in season debut

At the beginning of Tuesday's Emirates Cup game against the New York Knicks, Embiid looked like a guy who hadn't played a real game of basketball since the Olympics three months ago. The 2023 NBA MVP missed two outside shots and lost the ball out of bounds before asking out of the game after 4:50 had elapsed in the first quarter.

The big man still made an impact, even if it wasn't the usual Embiid dominance. He returned with 2:16 left in the quarter and found teammates for three-point baskets on consecutive possessions, part of his three first-quarter assists. Embiid's pass and screen got rookie Jared McCain wide open for a three ball, proving that you don't need great cardio to shield a defender when you're seven feet tall.

Nor did Embiid need to be in tip-top shape to draw fouls. He scored all eight of his first-half points on free throws, using his mix of offensive moves — and a master thespian's ability to sell contact — to get himself to the foul line.

However winded he got, Embiid still makes the 76ers look like a different team when he's out on the floor. The next step is increasing his endurance so he can actually be out there.

In 26 minutes of action, the former MVP had 13 points, three rebounds and five assists on 2-of-11 from the field and 1-of-5 from three. He went a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. Paul George was the star for the Sixers. He had a double-double — 29 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and three assists. However, it wasn't close to enough, as Philly fell 111-99 to New York.