Joel Embiid set to suit up in back-to-back NBA games later this week

It looks like Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid must wait to get his wish.

A little more than a week ago, Embiid said he was hoping to play in back-to-back games by the end of January. Before last night’s 122-112 loss to the Thunder in Oklahoma City, Embiid told reporters he was recently given the OK by the team to suit up for back-to-back contests. That means Embiid had a chance to be in the lineup tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks (8 ET, NBA League Pass).

However, the Sixers are playing it safe and will not play tonight. He is being held out for medical restriction and load management reasons.

No @JoelEmbiid tonight!

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) January 29, 2018

Yesterday Embiid was made available for tonight's game, but still had to be cleared today. He played 36 minutes last night vs. the Thunder is and out tonight vs. Bucks because of back-to-back medical restriction/load management.

— Jessica Camerato (@JessicaCamerato) January 29, 2018

The plan now is for Embiid to play in the back-to-back set the Sixers have Friday (vs. the Miami Heat) and Saturday (in Indiana against the Pacers).

The Sixers plan for Embiid to play in the back-to-back Friday (vs. Heat) and Saturday (at Pacers).

— Jessica Camerato (@JessicaCamerato) January 29, 2018

.@JoelEmbiid won’t play tonight because of the “heavy loading” in last night’s game. The plan is for him to play in Friday’s and Saturday’s back-to-back against the #Heat and #Pacers.

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) January 29, 2018

Here’s more from Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer on what Embiid had to say before Sunday’s game:

“I just got told I was available,” Embiid said before Sunday’s game. “I think it’s depending on how I feel after the game. But I expect to feel great, because my body has been feeling really good.

“Hopefully, I will play [Monday].”

He has missed at least one game of the five back-to-back situations the Sixers have had this season.

In all, Embiid has missed nine games because of rest and minor injuries.

“Obviously, I really want to play,” he said. “I feel like that’s the missing part of my NBA career.”

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