Embiid returns from 15-game absence, notches triple-double in win vs. Mavs

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid shook off the rust for Tuesday's 118-116 win over the Dallas Mavericks after missing the last 15 contests due to knee and foot injuries.

Embiid finished with a 29-point triple-double, tallying 11 rebounds and 10 assists on 12-of-23 shooting in 36 minutes. He also scored the game-winning layup with 22 seconds left in the match.

Before the game, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said there was no hard cap on Embiid's minutes, though he expected him to play roughly 30 minutes depending on how the Cameroonian felt as the game progressed, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps.

The former MVP hadn't played since Jan. 4 after he sustained a foot sprain. On the eve of his return from that injury, Embiid experienced increased swelling in his left knee, forcing him to miss another two weeks.

Several injuries have limited Embiid's availability this season. The 30-year-old has only appeared in 13 games and is averaging 24.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.

After scoring over 20 points in back-to-back games, Guerschon Yabusele got the starting nod at power forward alongside Embiid. He finished the game with 19 points and eight rebounds.

Tyrese Maxey recorded a team-high 33 points in the victory.

Max Christie made his Mavericks debut and recorded 15 points off the bench. Anthony Davis was unavailable with an abdominal injury. Point guard Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 34.

The Sixers improved to 20-29 with the victory. They'll host the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. Philly coach Nick Nurse confirmed postgame that Embiid will not play on the second night of a back-to-back.

The Mavericks dropped to 0-2 since trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. They'll continue their road trip Thursday when they take on the Celtics in Boston.