Joel Embiid has made it clear that he does not plan on playing in back-to-back games for the remainder of his career. Given his history of injuries and missed games, this is not a surprising decision. Speaking to ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Embiid said:
"If I had to guess, I would probably never play back-to-backs the rest of my career."
Since entering the league, Joel Embiid has been plagued by injuries that have limited his playing time. Over the past eight seasons, he has played in just 433 of a possible 637 regular season games.
In his first full season in 2016-17, Embiid managed to play in only 31 out of 82 games. This was a concerning start, as it came after he had already missed his first two seasons in the league due to foot injuries. However, the next few seasons showed signs of improvement, though he continued to miss a significant number of games. In the 2017-18 season, Embiid played in 63 of 82 games, followed by 64 of 82 games in the 2018-19 season.
Although his game was continuing to grow and his impact on the court was undeniable, injuries remained a constant issue. In the shortened 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, Embiid played in only 51 of 72 games in both years. It wasn’t until the 2021-22 season that Embiid managed to play the most games of his career, appearing in 68 of 82 games. This was a significant milestone for Embiid, demonstrating his potential for durability when relatively healthy.
In the 2022-23 season, where he was crowned MVP, Embiid played in 66 games—still an impressive figure considering his injury history but far from a full season.
The Sixers have long taken a cautious approach with their star, frequently resting him to preserve his health for the playoffs. Now, it appears that Embiid and the organization are committed to a long-term strategy of load management, prioritizing his availability for the biggest games rather than pushing for regular-season durability.
In the 2023-24 season, Embiid put up incredible numbers, averaging 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game while shooting an impressive 52.9% from the field and 38.8% from beyond the arc. Embiid missed several games at the start of the season and then pushed himself to meet the NBA's newly implemented 65-game minimum requirement for end-of-season awards, a stipulation in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Unfortunately, he did this while not being fully healthy, which led to further injuries and kept him sidelined for an extended period of time.
The Sixers' cautious approach with Embiid moving forward is rooted in the belief that his health is more important than grinding through regular-season back-to-backs. At 7 feet tall and over 280 pounds, Embiid's body endures a tremendous amount of physical strain.
His ability to dominate in the post, stretch the floor with his shooting, and play both ends of the court requires him to be at peak physical condition. By avoiding back-to-back games, the Sixers hope to give Embiid the best chance to stay fresh for the playoffs, where they expect him to lead them on a deep run.
One major obstacle for Embiid has been the inability to advance past the second round of the playoffs. Despite his dominance in the regular season, the Sixers have yet to make a Conference Finals appearance with him as their cornerstone player. However, with the addition of Paul George this offseason, and the continued rise of Tyrese Maxey , there is renewed optimism in Philadelphia that this could be the year they break through and contend for a championship.
For Embiid, this approach reflects a long-term vision for his career. By prioritizing his health and availability in critical moments, the Sixers and their star center hope to extend his prime years and maximize his impact on the court when it matters most. While fans may miss seeing Embiid in some regular-season games, the focus is now clearly on ensuring he is ready for the biggest moments in the playoffs, where he can finally lead the team to the heights they have been aiming for since he was drafted.
Related: Joel Embiid Ruled Out Of Preseason Due To Knee Concerns
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