Despite a loss that ticked off the Sixers' players, almost to a man, Embiid's presence constituted a good thing.

Sunday’s 142-134 setback to the Atlanta Hawks at Xfinity Mobile Arena marked the first time Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey have been on the floor together this season. Sunday also marked just the 19th game that Embiid,

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid had missed nine consecutive games before Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks.

An anonymous source from the Philadelphia 76ers confirmed that the franchise has shifted its view of the "face of the franchise" this season.

Embiid was back — again — from a nine-game absence on Sunday because of an issue in his right knee. “If anybody thinks that I don’t want to play every game, that’s their problem,” he said.