How Joel Embiid provided 76ers with a boost vs. Magic without even playing

How Joel Embiid provided 76ers with a boost vs. Magic without even playing originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Star center Joel Embiid didn't even have to play in the Philadelphia 76ers' 109-97 victory over the Orlando Magic in the NBA Play-In Tournament to provide his team with a big boost.

Embiid, who is still recovering after undergoing an emergency appendectomy last week, was a surprise guest on Philadelphia's bench during the game against Orlando, and his presence alone was a big boon for the team.

After the win, star guard Tyrese Maxey discussed how Embiid being there was uplifting for the team.

"Huge man, huge," Maxey said of having Embiid there, via Sixers Wire. "Kyle (Lowry) called me two days ago. So, Monday, he called me. He said, ‘Man, what do you think about Joel coming to the game? Like, it just be a huge lift.’

"I'm, like ‘Yeah, if he can. If he’s up to it,’ and we didn't need to ask him. I said, just, if he can, he will, and he was there. You know what I mean? I talked to him via phone, and I was surprised to see him there. I gave him a big hug. I was glad to see him and his spirits are high."

Embiid surprised Sixers head coach Nick Nurse with his presence during a pregame film session.

"He was questionable whether he was going to be able to get here tonight because of some of the stuff they're doing, but I didn't even realize he was over there," Nurse said of Embiid after Philadelphia's win over Orlando.