Embiid ready for regular-season spotlight

The 76ers' regular season begins Wednesday night against Oklahoma City in a nationally televised game, and perhaps no one is more excited than Sixers center Joel Embiid. The third overall pick in the 2014 draft will finally get to play in a regular-season game after missing the previous two years because of right foot surgeries.

"I can't wait," Embiid said. "That's going to be my first official NBA game. I just went through the preseason. I thought I got better game-by-game. I'm looking to finally get that first game."

The 7-foot-2, 276-pounder should have a solid debut based on what we've seen in the preseason. He averaged 11.4 points and six rebounds in just 14.7 minutes during the Sixers' seven preseason games.  The Cameroonian's time on the court has been restricted as a precaution. He's expected to play 20 to 24 minutes vs. the Thunder.

"He's just coming into his own," coach Brett Brown said after Embiid finished with 18 points and nine rebounds in Friday's exhibition against the Miami Heat. "Each time you see him play, he just shows you a little bit more."

Agreeing with Brown, Embiid said, "I'm starting to figure it out" after Friday's game. For him, the preseason allowed him to shed some of the rust and learn how to play with his teammates.

Now comes the regular-season opener.

He'll have an interesting matchup against Thunder post player Steven Adams. An improved shooter, Adams scored 17 points on 8-for-12 shooting in 26 minutes in OKC's final preseason matchup on Tuesday.  He made his first five shots, three on his new, hybrid, one-handed floater.

Adams is also known for getting under opponents' skin for his physical style of play.

So this will be a good matchup to follow.

Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers.