Joel Embiid wants to get back to playing basketball at 100 percent, and right now his enemies are time and a conservative medical staff that works for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Sixers are rightfully being careful with Embiid, who played in just 31 games last season after an injury that kept him off the court the first two years after he was drafted. But Embiid says he’s ready to play, and after a successful opening night he’s pushing for more playing time.
It was initially thought that Embiid would be on an even smaller minutes restriction than he had in his 31 games last season, with coach Brett Brown indicating that it could be in the teens.
He told the Philadelphia media on Thursday that his next question for the medical staff will be how soon he can play in games on consecutive days.
“I’m actually going to ask them the question,” Embiid said on Thursday. “Hopefully I get to play in back-to-backs.”
Embiid played just under 27 minutes and had 18 points in a loss to the Washington Wizards, but he was happy with how he felt afterward.
“Yesterday I played, and my body feels great today,” Embiid said. “My knee feels amazing. So I feel like if I have to play today, I would play depending on how I feel. But I feel like I’m ready.”
If he still feels good after a few more of these, it will be hard to argue with the production and his confidence. But it’s clear the Sixers will be cautious until they’re sure their big is ready for a full role with the team.
