76ers’ Joel Embiid issues strong defensive declaration in locker room after beating Knicks

Joel Embiid is very clearly not the player he once was due to all the injury problems he's gone through over the past few years. But the Philadelphia 76ers may not need him to be his MVP-level self anyway, at least in the early goings of the season. On Tuesday night, the 76ers spoiled the New York Knicks' ring night and handed them a 106-101 loss even with Embiid having a subpar offensive outing .

Embiid finished with just 13 points on 4-of-15 shooting from the field, and he mostly lived from the perimeter. Nearly half of his shots came from beyond the arc (he went 2-of-7) and he deferred to the 76ers' other stars — with Tyrese Maxey leading the way with 28 points on the night.

However, Embiid made a concerted effort to anchor the 76ers' defense. He helped Philly limit New York to just 37.2% shooting from the field, and there were times where he made it impossible for the Knicks to score in the paint. He had two steals and three blocks on the night, too. After the game, the 76ers star declared that he wants to get back to being at his best on the defensive end.

Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)

"Embiid had a declaration to make in the locker room after this one. He said, 'I'm going to get back to being an all-defensive team player,'" Dave McMenamin of ESPN said on SportsCenter, via Oh No He Didn't on X.

According to McMenamin, Embiid also suggested that the 76ers put LeBron James on Karl-Anthony Towns , which then bottled up some of New York's pick-and-pop actions — forcing their other players, who were struggling with their shot, to get the ball.

With James and Jaylen Brown now on the roster, the 76ers have so much talent on offense that they can afford Embiid to take it easier on that end of the floor. If Embiid returns to being a major force on defense, Philly well and truly may have what it takes to mount a challenge for the Larry O'Brien trophy.