Sixers Risk Embiid Health With Early Heavy Minutes Load

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn ImagesThe Philadelphia 76ers are pushing Joel Embiid too hard, too soon. On Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers, the star center logged nearly 39 minutes. This number breaks the team’s own plan for his health. Per The Sixer Sense, the original restriction was set for the low 30s. The coach took a gamble to secure a win, and it worked for now, but the danger is real.Embiid is 32 years old and has a history of knee issues. He is averaging 35.8 minutes per game through the first four contests. This figure is the highest mark under Nick Nurse. It even beats the early four-game sample sizes from the Doc Rivers era. The team had to wait until November 30 last year to see Embiid clear 30 minutes of action. That wait took 19 games just to get him to his seventh outing. It is difficult to trust any new plan that pushes his limits this early because of the past.The Coach Admits the GambleNick Nurse knows the minutes were too high. Following the victory, he discussed playing time and remarked that Embiid was “maybe a few too high.” To secure the win, the head coach stated that sometimes you must do what is necessary. While he aims to better manage those minutes going forward, such control is not assured. The team lacks reliable depth at the center position. They have lost Ariel Hukporti for the entire year. Tacko Fall and Dominick Barlow have also logged costly absences over the first few games.Depth Issues Force The RiskHe is doing well to start the year with 21.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. But the injury-prone label does not just go away. The 76ers have won four of their first five games, yet they often have to climb out of holes. Their current modus is simply not sustainable if they keep burning their star player. Building good habits for April and beyond is what the regular season is all about. Because they cannot trust the bench, they constantly find themselves having to dig deep right now.The Sixers cannot afford to lose Embiid before the playoffs. The team must respect the minutes plan even if it means losing a game in October. Pushing his playing time limits now sets a dangerous precedent for the rest of the season. The win on Wednesday feels good, but the cost could be too high in the long run.