After his season-best outing against the Indiana Pacers on Friday, Joel Embiid explained why he's largely been taking a backseat to his teammates this year.

Now 31 and again attempting to work his way back to health, Philadelphia's superstar center is learning what he's still capable of.

PHILADELPHIA — When Joel Embiid grabbed the rebound, waved off his point guard, dribbled the ball the length of the floor, then finished the sequence off with a basket, he knew he was in a good place physically.

Joel Embiid steps up to lead the Philadelphia 76ers past the Indiana Pacers at home on Friday night.

A younger Embiid would've been motivated by the legend of dominating in return from a three-month basketball hiatus. This Embiid finds value in rhythm, in stacking days.

Joel Embiid looked comfortable Friday, which might have been the most important part of the night. The points came too. Thirty-nine of them, in a win over Indiana that felt like a reminder of what the 76ers look like when their franchise center is upright,

The Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers meet Friday at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. ET.