Team Africa Member of the 2017 NBA Africa Game, Joel Embiid has stated he does not plan to play all 82 games of the NBA season due to his precarious health situation.
The 7 foot 2 inch Cameroon Center made the statement during his appearance at Philadelphia Sixers Media Day ahead of the 2017-2018 season which tips off on October 17.
Having missed two seasons of game time, Embiid suited up for Philadelphia last season averaging 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 31 games before a knee injury knocked him out for the rest of the season.
After surgery in the offseason, the former Kansas University standout does not envisage playing through the entire regular season.
“I’ll be honest, I don’t think I’ll play 82 games this year…That’s not happening” he said before adding “I mean if it was Game 7 of the NBA Finals, definitely”.
Embiid participated in the second NBA Africa Festivities this year in Johannesburg, South Africa by mentoring young players at the Basketball Without Borders program and suiting up for Team Africa in the NBA Game against Team World.
Embiid participated at the 2011 BWB Program; Team World beat Team Africa 108-97.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
