The countdown begins! The NBA did not hold back in penalizing Joel Embiid after he shoved columnist Marcus Hayes in the locker room amid a heated altercation. The consequences? A three-game suspension starting from the day the former MVP is fit and eligible to play. Well, the wait is finally over for the City of Brotherly Love, as the latest update reveals the timeline of the superstar Center’s return.

As per veteran insider Shams Charania, Joel Embiid will make his season debut next Tuesday. That means his suspension starts today with the Clippers game and will continue for the Lakers and Hornets encounter later this week. And then Joel will finally suit up against the Knicks! Ironically, they were also the last team he faced this past season during the first round of the playoffs.

While we finally know when Joel will return, there are still questions about his health. Well, Shams assured on NBA Countdown that “Joel Embiid is ready.” Yes, even before the suspension, he had been out managing the knee injury that he suffered last season. But it looks like he is finally healthy and ready to go.

Sure enough, that will give a huge sigh of relief to the Sixers because they have had an abysmal start to the season with 5 losses in 6 games. And the ESPN insider emphasized, “For Joel Embiid, getting back on the court is of the ultimate importance. They need him desperately.”

Before the hoopster got injured last season, the Cameroonian was on his way to winning his second MVP, averaging 34.7 points. And the expectations would be no different this year. Especially with Paul George in his corner.

Can Joel Embiid get redemption in his season debut against the Knicks?

It was the New York-based franchise that got the better of Embiid the last time, as they eliminated the Sixers in six games. Sure, the former MVP was not at his best, still playing with lingering knee issues. But he has had enough time to rest this summer and will get a chance at redemption on Tuesday upon his return. Well, Joel will definitely have the crowd’s support as the game will be played in the Wells Fargo Center.

His season debut holds even more importance because Tuesday’s game is also the opener for the NBA Cup, and Embiid will also have his new teammate Paul George by his side. After hyperextending his knee during the preseason and missing the first five regular season games, PG finally made his Sixers debut on Monday against the Suns. Sure, he looked a bit rusty and scored only 15 points. But the important thing is that he felt “completely fine” despite the long hiatus.

So, the stage is set for Joel Embiid to make an impact on his return, as we will finally witness what the Sixers’ Big Three is capable of.