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CAMDEN, N.J. — On Saturday afternoon, Joel Embiid took passes at the far end of the gym from Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Demetris Nichols and got up shots after the first official practice of the season.

Embiid began with midrange looks. Then, he and Nichols went through pick-and-pop actions, shots Embiid routinely gets in during games. Eventually, Embiid, Nichols and Sixers assistant Reggie Redding began shooting competitively from half court.

Embiid swished his second attempt. A bell rang. Then a celebration emerged.

Embiid, the superstar who played sparingly last season as he dealt with a left knee injury that wouldn’t he

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