Sixers’ Joel Embiid Taking Part In 5-on-5 As He Readies For Season Debut

The 76ers are taking a meticulous approach with Joel Embiid this season, setting their sights on one thing: a healthy, dominant Embiid come NBA playoff time.

Fresh off completing the ramp-up phase of his return-to-play plan, Embiid has been going through 5-on-5 scrimmages in recent days, showing he’s inching closer to game form, per Shams Charania of ESPN. But it’s clear the Sixers are more interested in his durability for the postseason than the day-to-day grind of the regular season.

This means periodic rest days, consistent knee checkups, and an ongoing effort to manage his minutes strategically. In other words, they’re playing the long game with their superstar.

This conservative approach, however, has drawn scrutiny. The NBA recently slapped Philly with a $100,000 fine for “inconsistent” public statements about Embiid’s injury status, specifically targeting comments made by Sixers president Daryl Morey and head coach Nick Nurse. The league ruled these statements were misleading and didn’t reflect Embiid’s actual health status, a violation of its rules on injury transparency. The fine serves as a reminder that while load management may be the trend, the league is watching carefully to ensure it’s handled by the book.

For the Sixers, though, the strategy is simple. They’re willing to take minor hits now if it means having Embiid at his best when it counts. With a healthy Embiid leading the way, you’d have to think Philly is a legitimate threat. And as far as they’re concerned, that’s what matters most.

As for the Sixers without Embiid and Paul George, well, things haven’t gone so well. They’re 1-4.