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Dynamic Debut After missing the first two seasons of his NBA career due to injuries, Embiid made a grand debut in the 2016 season opener at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center. Sixers’ fans, who had been starving to see their No. 3 overall pick from the 2014 Draft in action, were dazzled and delighted by his play all game long. Embiid scored the first points of his NBA career on a 16-foot jump shot at the 8:17 mark of the first quarter on his way to a team-high 20 points. He gave fans a glimpse of his all-around skills by also knocking down a three-point shot (he was 1-of-3 beyond the arc), blocking a couple of shots, pulling down seven rebounds, and being near perfect from the free-throw line (7-of-8). While Sixers’ fans headed to the parking lot disappointed in the outcome—Oklahoma City won 103–97—Embiid’s performance gave them plenty of reasons to smile and look forward to the years ahead.

After missing two seasons because of injuries, Embiid made his NBA debut in 2016, scoring 20 points in a loss to Oklahoma City.

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HARDWOOD GREATS: PRO BASKETBALL’S BEST PLAYERS