Joel Embiid is still patiently going through the motions until he can figure a return to the court after sitting out the latter part of the season with an injury. Having recently been cleared to play five-on-five, which he did on Thursday, he was soon asked about his tennis-playing skills after one of his night time endeavors in downtown Philadelphia earlier this week.

“It’s really good. I’m a really good server,” said Embiid in true fashion, according to NBC Sports' Kurt Helin. “They call me the black Roger Federer.”

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The Sixers lacked the firepower expected during their first game of preseason, but were exciting to watch after rookie Ben Simmons put on a show in his limited stint on the court.

Embiid's return would only symbolize additional offensive prowess for the team, as they hope his game on the basketball court can reflect that of the tennis court, hoping to take another step toward cracking the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The 7-footer put up 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game during his first season with the team, notching only 31 games in his rookie season in the league after being drafted with the No. 3 pick in 2014.