PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid returned to the starting lineup for the 76ers on Sunday against Atlanta after he missed the last nine games in large part because of a sore right knee.

Embiid had played in only six of 20 games and averaged 19.7 points and 5.5 rebounds for a Sixers team that has hovered around .500 without him. The 76ers are 4-2 with Embiid.

The 76ers upgraded Embiid to questionable on the injury report on Sunday afternoon and the two-time NBA scoring champion was cleared to play after his pregame workout .

The 76ers will play for the first time this season with their All-Star trio of Embiid, oft-injured Paul George and Tyrese Maxey together in the starting lineup.

Embiid last played in the 76ers' win over Toronto on Nov. 8 and was officially out the next night against

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