Joel Embiid is unsure he will play the back end of the 76ers’ back-to-back against the Pistons, and says he wants to

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.

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. 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. Before Saturday’s tip, coach Nick Nurse said he was not sure about the Sunday status of either Embiid or LeBron James.

Joel Embiid on playing on the front end of the back-to-back against MIL instead of the back end against DET: “I actually want to play tomorrow, so can you guys put pressure on them?” (Referring to Sixers management/coaching staff) pic.twitter.com/9zyGey8uRF

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 25, 2026

Why the 76ers are careful

Philadelphia opened the season with a plan to manage both of its veteran stars. 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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

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.