There was more to the Sixers' plan for Joel Embiid’s first season than minutes restrictions. There also was the possibility of resting Embiid in back-to-back games, of which the Sixers have 17 on the schedule.
That may change.
“That is still on the table in that we are considering it,” Brett Brown said Saturday before the Sixers hosted the Pistons. “To say it will happen, I can’t say that. But it’s certainly progressed from ‘no back-to-backs’ to ‘we are looking at it.’”
Brown looks to how Embiid does the day after games as the measuring stick for consecutive nights. He missed the previous two seasons with foot injuries.
“If this league is anything, it’s a recovery league,” Brown said. “How do you back it up? Eighty-two games, you’ve heard me say this a lot, isn’t for everybody. It catches completely off guard those young guys coming out of college and sometimes foreign players.
“What gives me confidence saying what I’ve said is how he recovers. He backs up the next day more than he doesn’t just fine. That’s the stuff that gives all of us tremendous encouragement and hope.”
Philadelphia 76ers
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia 76ers and their rivals in the NBA from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Embiid said heading into the season, he did not expect to miss every back-to-back game. If it were up to him, he would play in each one.
“I don’t want to miss any games,” Embiid said. “It’s been two years, happy to be back on the court and I just want to stay there.”
Embiid’s minutes have increased from 12 to 15 to 18. Brown has eyed 20-to-24 for opening night.
