LOS ANGELES – Joel Embiid overcame a “mental toll” to make a dazzling return from a two-month injury layoff and inspire the Philadelphia 76ers to an upset 109-105 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2.

The National Basketball Association’s (NBA) reigning Most Valuable Player was a surprise late inclusion in the Sixers’ starting line-up at the Wells Fargo Centre, returning to the hardwood after suffering a knee injury in a defeat by the Golden State Warriors on Jan 30.