Joel Embiid makes shocking statement about his future workload

Apr 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during overtime in game 5 of the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia 76ers are prioritizing the health of center Joel Embiid this season in a bid to keep him fit and available for the playoffs. That likely means one huge change is coming to Embiid’s availability in certain games.

In a new story by Tim Bontemps of ESPN, Embiid admitted that his days of playing on back-to-back days appear to be over. That is not just a short-term solution, as the All-Star center said he does not expect to ever play in back-to-backs again.

“If I had to guess, I would probably never play back-to-backs the rest of my career,” Embiid said.

76ers president Daryl Morey did not go quite as far, but he did say Embiid and Paul George were unlikely to play in many back-to-backs, “if any.”

Embiid is serious about keeping himself as healthy as possible. He has a long history of knee injuries and was once again not healthy for the stretch run last season. To that end, he made some major lifestyle changes ahead of the new season, and is adamant about making an NBA title his biggest and only goal. If he has to sacrifice back-to-backs to make that happen, he sounds more than willing to do that.