Joel Embiid is unsure he will play the back end of the 76ers' back-to-back against the Pistons, and says he wants to
WhyNBA Sports Desk · Oct 25, 2026
The story
Joel Embiid does not know whether he will play the second night of the Philadelphia 76ers' back-to-back against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, October 25, and he made clear after Saturday's win over Milwaukee that he would like to.
The story
Asked after the 127-116 victory over the Bucks whether he would suit up Sunday, Embiid said he had "no idea," then turned the question back on the reporters in the room and joked that they should lobby the team's staff on his behalf, as ESPN reported.
The story
It is a change in tone from earlier in the week, when Embiid said after Thursday's comeback against Cleveland that he would play only one of the two weekend games.
The story
Before Saturday's tip, coach Nick Nurse said he was not sure about the Sunday status of either Embiid or LeBron James.
Why the 76ers are careful
Philadelphia opened the season with a plan to manage both of its veteran stars.
Why the 76ers are careful
Shams Charania has reported that the goal for the first few weeks is to keep Embiid and James to roughly 30 minutes a game, and Embiid has a long history of injuries that has shaped how the team handles back-to-backs.
Why the 76ers are careful
Saturday tested that plan. With James sitting out to rest his lower back, Embiid logged 36 minutes and 12 seconds, well past that target, and posted a triple-double of 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Why the 76ers are careful
He went 12 of 14 at the free-throw line, and his 10th assist set up the Jaylen Brown three that put the 76ers ahead 120-114 late. Philadelphia is 3-0.
Why the 76ers are careful
The minutes are part of why a Sunday appearance would be a surprise. The team has not issued an official ruling, so the league's injury report on Sunday is the next word.
What it means for the rotation
If Embiid sits, Philadelphia's frontcourt gets thin quickly. Ariel Hukporti, signed to back him up, injured his Achilles in his first preseason game. Jabari Walker played 12 minutes on Saturday and was reported to have tweaked his right knee, leaving his availability unclear.
What it means for the rotation
Adem Bona, back from a foot injury that cost him the preseason, played 9 minutes and 40 seconds against Milwaukee, and Dean Wade, who started Saturday, could see time at center. James, expected back Sunday, gives Nurse another big body if needed.
What it means for the rotation
Detroit has its own frontcourt problem. The Pistons have ruled out Jalen Duren with a right hamstring strain, and Ausar Thompson is questionable with a right ankle sprain.
What comes next
The Pistons visit the 76ers on Sunday, October 25, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Follow the lineups and the score in the Pistons-76ers Game Center, and check the latest designations on the injuries page. Saturday's full box score is in the Bucks-76ers Game Center.
Photo credit
Joel Embiid (21) and Ben Simmons (25) with the 76ers in 2018. Photo by Keith Allison, CC-BY-SA-2.0, resized.
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