Joel Embiid is expected to make his season debut for the 76ers after injuries and suspension

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid is expected to play this week for the Philadelphia 76ers — barring another setback, and there is always that chance with the 7-footer — after he won Olympic gold, signed a contract extension, slogged through a knee injury, was the root of two NBA investigations, scuffled with a columnist and was hit with a technical foul for waving a towel from the bench.

Oh, and to make the season worse in Philly, the 76ers just aren't a very good team without Embiid.

Actually, they're one of the worst teams in the NBA.

The Sixers can only hope their fortunes will start to turn around Tuesday night when Embiid, a two-time league scoring champion, makes his highly anticipated first start of the season against the New York Knicks when both teams start play in the NBA Cup round-robin. Embiid last played for the Sixers in May when they were eliminated at home in Game 6 by New York in the first round of the playoffs.