Embiid to match up against the talented Towns
The popular belief was that the 76ers didn't play Joel Embiid in Wednesday's matchup with the Washington Wizards to save him for Thursday's nationally televised game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on TNT.
The popular belief was that the 76ers didn't play Joel Embiid in Wednesday's matchup with the Washington Wizards to save him for Thursday's nationally televised game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on TNT.
Sixers coach Brett Brown said that wasn't true.
"It's completely designed to what is best for Joel Embiid," Brown said.
No national TV?
"Nah," Brown said. "We expect that question. It's just the rhythm the medical staff has put him on."
The third overall pick of the 2014 draft has missed the last two seasons with navicular bone surgeries to the right foot. The center has been on a short leash to carefully manage his workload and the stress on his foot during games and practice. The team formulated the plan to not play him on back-to-back nights. He sat out the second game during the first two back-to-back situations.
However, the Sixers switched things this time, and that sets up a much-anticipated matchup between Embiid and Minnesota center Karl-Anthony Towns, the reigning rookie of the year.
Towns averages 22 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Embiid averages 18 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.
This marks the second time that Embiid sat out a game when the Sixers didn't play the night before. The first time came against the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 9.
Brown was asked if that will be the case moving forward.
"It's a very fluid thing," he said. "It's sort of pre-ordained. It's not all scripted out for the whole month. It doesn't work like that."
Down in the D league
The Sixers recalled Jerryd Bayless and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot from the Delaware 87ers Wednesday morning.
The two players were with the team's NBA Development League affiliate to receive much-needed practice. Bayless, who is overcoming a wrist injury, practiced with the Sevens on Monday and Tuesday.
The Sixers played the Houston Rockets on Monday in Texas and were off on Tuesday. Instead of taking Tuesday off, the seldom-used Luwawu-Cabarrot practiced with the Sevens.
"It's getting to the point where I'm comfortable and able to do everything that I feel like I'm about to do," said Bayless, who remained sidelined.
@PompeyOnSixers