- Embiid scored 24 points, six rebounds and seven assists in Philadelphia’s victory.
- The 30-year-old player returned to the field after a meniscus injury
- DailyMail.com provides the latest international sports news.
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Philadelphia 76ers legends past and present gathered Tuesday night as Allen Iverson congratulated Joel Embiid on his successful return to the court.
Embiid, the reigning NBA MVP, helped the Sixers to a 108-105 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in his first appearance in more than two months after recovering from a meniscus injury.
And after marking his return with a victory, Philadelphia’s All-Star center shared a warm hug with Iverson on the court.
At the end of the game, Embiid was seen making a beeline for the Sixers icon, who jumped out of his seat to show his appreciation for his successor at the Wells Fargo Center.
The pair then enjoyed a handshake before going their separate ways, and Iverson was likely impressed by what he saw that night.
Joel Embiid hugged 76ers legend Allen Iverson after a winning return to the court
Philadelphia icons past and present shared a warm moment after their victory.
Embiid helped the Sixers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in his first appearance since January 30.
Embiid was on hand with 24 points, six rebounds and seven assists in his long-awaited return, while putting the hosts in front in the final 40 seconds of the game.
The Sixers trailed by 11 points with 7:27 left before going on a torrid stretch. Kelly Oubre Jr. hit a 3-pointer that started the comeback and Embiid capped it off with a series of free throws.
He then hit two for a 106-105 lead and added two more to make the score 108-105. The 30-year-old made all 12 free throws of the night.
Embiid sat exhausted at the scorer’s table as the final seconds ticked away before approaching Iverson.
After damaging his meniscus on Jan. 30 at Golden State, he underwent meniscus surgery on his left knee a week later, and the Sixers crashed out of the East standings without him. They are currently eighth, a game and a half behind Miami.
With a healthy Embiid, the 76ers at least have a better chance of winning a series or two in the playoffs.
“He changes them significantly,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “They play stylistically a lot differently when he’s where they’ve been lately in the last 30 games he’s been out.” When he plays, he certainly changes the focus on him.”