The Philadelphia 76ers have shaped their identity around Joel Embiid. His absence through training camp and the early preseason games has kept fans wondering how ready the franchise cornerstone truly is. Even though Tyrese Maxey has carried much of the load during that stretch. Still, without Embiid, the team’s rhythm and defensive edge have clearly felt incomplete.

That’s why, when Embiid’s recent on-court activity surfaced on the internet, fans rejoiced. After weeks of limited visibility, he resurfaced this week with an encouraging show of form in a spirited post-practice 1-on-1 session. Now, as the Sixers approach their preseason finale against the Timberwolves, the question is whether Embiid will play or rest out till the regular season kicks off.

Is Joel Embiid playing today?

It is almost time for some real basketball action, but before that, one more game to go. Joel Embiid remains the center of Philadelphia, literally and figuratively. Despite his resurgence, Embiid, who has not played a preseason game since 2023, sat out practice on Thursday. Head coach Nick Nurse clarified, it was part of a planned rest day.

His status for Friday’s preseason finale against the Timberwolves was undecided until now. “I think we’ll know tomorrow,” Nurse said after practice. “I mean, I think there’s still that same chance that he will, but we’ll know tomorrow.”

Now, that question has an answer. Chris Haynes of ESPN reports that Joel Embiid has been cleared to make his preseason debut tonight against the Timberwolves. “Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid (knee) has been cleared to make his preseason debut tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves, league sources tell me.”, he posted on X.

The center underwent left knee surgery in April 2025, limiting him to just 19 games last season. He will finally return to action after a strong recovery in practice sessions. The news has ignited excitement among fans, many taking to social media to celebrate what they’re calling “peak Embiid”.

Where to watch the game

The Philadelphia 76ers will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The game will be broadcast locally on NBC Sports Philadelphia. For viewers outside the region, the game is available for streaming on FuboTV, which offers a free trial for new users. The game will also be available to stream via NBA League Pass.

The Timberwolves are coming off a 126-120 loss to the Chicago Bulls on October 16. But the team has played strongly against the Sixers in their previous matchups. In their last two meetings during the 2024-25 season, the Sixers faced defeat. On March 4, the Timberwolves secured a 126-112 victory. Later, on April 5, Minnesota edged out Philadelphia 114-109, propelled by Anthony Edwards’ 37 points. Both teams are looking to finalize their rosters and strategies.

Can Joel Embiid carry the future of the Sixers?

For the Sixers, to keep Joel Embiid healthy is to keep the roster healthy. But fans might crave the 2021 version of Embiid, the snarling rim protector who owned both ends. Yet, if he is that active on the court again, he is more susceptible to injuries, which might hamper his long-term health and career goals. Hence, what they truly need is longevity. Even if we leave Embiid’s availability behind, a deeper question arises: what version of him will the Sixers be getting? Is Joel Embiid still a dominant two-way player?

Bill Simmons of The Ringer does not think so: “He doesn’t protect the rim anymore… The rim protection stats with him were terrible last year.” Simmons claimed. Embiid’s block rate dipped to a career-low 0.9 per game last season. Opponents shot 67% at the rim against him, suggesting his once-feared presence as a shot-blocker has cooled.

Inside the locker room, though, the tone is not skeptical. Andre Drummond, once a rival and now a teammate, offered a perspective. “He’s maturing,” Drummond said. “I mean, he’s maturing. We’re all maturing. You gotta think, a lot of us come into this league at 18, 19 years old. Joel came in this league not playing basketball until later in his life. Going to Kansas, getting hurt, coming in, getting drafted, and being hurt early in his career, then having early success.”

Drummond added, “He was a kid with a lot of success, and he had to figure his life out, figure the game out, too. I think now, just being around him for all these years, from the first time I was here to now, he’s a man. He’s a man. He’s a grown man, and he’s prepared to do whatever it takes to win.”

The physical dominance is still there when needed. Whether he plays Friday or not, the real question is about how much of this franchise he can still carry, and for how long.