NBA Schedule Release Brings Troubling News for 76ers, Joel Embiid

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt John | Last updated Aug 14, 2025 6:13 PM ET

Joel Embiid's health status has become even more of a concern for the Philadelphia 76ers over the past year or so. After signing a massive three-year extension worth $193 million in 2024, Embiid appeared in only 19 games in the 2024-25 season, as he dealt with knee injuries throughout the season.

Before the 2024-25 season even started, Embiid, per ESPN's Tim Bontemps, went on the record saying that he doesn't anticipate playing in back-to-backs again for the rest of his NBA career last October.

Embiid is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery in April, and it's still ambiguous as to how healthy he will be when the 2025-26 season starts. The fact that he believed he would never play in back-to-backs, even before his knee issues derailed his last season, does not bode well for him or the Sixers.

76ers' Schedule is Not Favorable for Joel Embiid

The NBA released the regular season schedule for all 30 teams on Thursday. After the awful season they had, the Sixers have every intention of returning to the NBA Playoffs. However, ESPN confirmed that Philadelphia is tied for the most back-to-backs among NBA teams (h/t ClutchPoints)

As it turns out, the Sixers will have 16 back-to-backs this season, tying them with the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets, and Washington Wizards for the most among NBA teams.

Most back-to-back games next season

76ers - 16
Nuggets - 16
Suns - 16
Hornets - 16
Wizards - 16

Clippers - 15
Raptors - 15
Trail Blazers - 15
Pelicans - 15
Warriors - 15
Heat - 15
Jazz - 15 pic.twitter.com/Vt9jROfhCU
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 14, 2025

With Embiid coming off the fewest number of games he's played in a season since his rookie year, and factoring his belief that he will never play in a back-to-back again in the NBA, this isn't exactly good news for the Sixers and their playoff aspirations.

Not consistently having a healthy team could certainly impact the Sixers' season. The Eastern Conference is wide open, with the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers not having their best players for the whole season, but it might still be a struggle for the Sixers.

76ers' Schedule Also Affects Paul George

In Bontemps's article last October, President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey also confirmed his anticipation that George would not play in back-to-backs. As it turned out, George, who also had an injury-riddled season with the Sixers, did not play in one back-to-back.

Because the Sixers have that many back-to-backs, George, entering the season at 35 years old, likely also won't be available as often like Embiid will. The Sixers already had question marks this season, and their schedule only adds more.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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