Joel Embiid‘s NBA career got off to a rocky start. After the Sixers selected him with the No. 3 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, the Cameroonian big man was forced to sit out his first two seasons in Philadelphia as he battled lingering injuries and played just 31 games last year.
The organization has, understandably, proceeded with cautious and had originally kept him on a minutes restriction, although he’s slowly been allowed to play more and more as the season has progressed. Now, it appears the team is taking the next step by permitting him to play on back-to-back nights.
Embiid has been told he’s available to play tomorrow in the back-to-back, final call depends on how he feels after this game.
— Jessica Camerato (@JessicaCamerato) January 28, 2018
Though no official call has been made, it would mark the first time in Embiid’s young career that he’s been cleared to play on consecutive nights.
The Sixers are in Oklahoma City on Sunday to face the Thunder, and they’ll continue their road trip as they travel to Milwaukee on Monday for a game against the Bucks.
Embiid’s minutes restriction and limited play last season were a big reason why he didn’t earn Rookie of the Year honors despite his stellar play when he was on the court, and the 7’2 center has long been adamant about his desire to log more playing time. Now, it seems he’ll finally get the opportunity to test his durability as he nears his first All-Star appearance.
