Back-to-backs Still Not Part of the Plan for Joel Embiid … Just Yet

UPDATED: 11:05 p.m.

Joel Embiid will not play in the Sixers' first back-to-back Saturday, head coach Brett Brown confirmed after the Sixers' 102-92 loss Friday night to the Celtics.

"I'm not playing tomorrow. No back-to-backs yet," he said before Friday's game. "I don't think so. I've got to check on that again. But there's a plan in place and that's what I'm going to follow."

The Sixer faced the Celtics Friday in their home opener and then traveled to Toronto for a Saturday night game against the Raptors. It is their first of 14 pairs of back-to-back matchups this season. He projects he will eventually be cleared for them. 

"This year, there's not a lot of back-to-backs," Embiid said. "I feel like I'll miss some but I'm not sure when. But I'll definitely play some back-to-backs this year."

Embiid has yet to be cleared for consecutive games in his injury-hampered career. It is important for him for reach that checkmark.

"I just want to feel like an NBA player," Embiid said. 

Sitting out Saturday will not bump up his minutes Friday, Embiid said. He played 26:57 in the season opener Wednesday and eyed somewhere around 20 against the Celtics. Embiid ended up playing 28:02 against Boston. Brett Brown is managing his playing time within a range, not a specific restriction like last season. 

The key to being cleared for more minutes and back-to-backs? Staying away from injuries. 

"I've got to balance it out because I'm ultra-competitive so I want to get out there, jump in the stands, dive for every loose ball," Embiid said. "But at the same time, I've to find a balance in between staying healthy and doing all that."

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