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Embiid cleared to play vs. Suns

Joel Embiid was cleared to play in Saturday night's matchup with the Phoenix Suns at the Wells Fargo Center.  The 76ers center had been listed as questionable earlier in the day with a mild ankle sprain.

Embiid suffered the injury in the first quarter of Thursday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center.  Embiid went to the bench momentary in that game before returning to play.  He finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds to post his third double-double of the season. After the game, Embiid said his ankle felt fine.

The 7-foot-2, 276-pounder also looked fine after the Sixers' light shootaround Saturday morning at their practice facility. Drenched in sweat, Embiid worked on pick and rolls with reserve point guard T.J. McConnell. He also participated in shooting drills and watched some film on the court with assistant coach Lloyd Pierce.

The rookie of the year candidate averaged 18.3 points and 2.3 blocks per game.

Embiid has already missed four games while the Sixers are carefully managing the rookie's workload and the stress on his right foot during games and practice. The third overall pick in the 2014 draft missed the previous two seasons after navicular bone surgeries in his foot. The team formulated a plan to not play him on back-to-back nights.

Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers.