Joel Embiid’s Playing Restriction Increased To 28 Minutes

Prior to Wednesday’s game against the Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown announced that Joel Embiid’s playing restriction would be increased to 28 minutes per game.

Brown had previously stated that the team would re-evaluate Embiid’s minutes restriction around Christmas time, so this news is a welcomed surprise. Previously restricted to just 24 minutes per game, Embiid has rarely eclipsed that mark by a considerable amount. His 27 minutes against in a double overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzlies was the most he’s played all season, but team doctors held him out of the second overtime period, much to Embiid’s dismay. Brown also made note that the 22-year-old will have some leeway with the restriction in overtime if future games get to that point.

Despite the limited minutes, Embiid has still managed to dominate the competition, averaging 18.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. Brown said he eventually sees him as a 36 minute per game player, and his current numbers per-36 -- 28.6 points and 12.2 rebounds -- could be a scary indication of what’s to come with some more playing time under his belt.

A matchup against one of the league’s best centers, DeMarcus Cousins, will be a good place for Embiid to show what he can do as the Sixers begin to take the training wheels off.