Why the 2025-26 NBA schedule is bad news for Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid is trying to come back—but the NBA’s new schedule might make it harder than you think.

Sixers head coach Nick Nurse recently put a positive spin on Embiid's condition, but the fact that he couldn't confirm the star big man would be ready for training camp opened the door to continued uncertainty.

And that's before considering the schedule. The Sixers are facing 16 back-to-back sets this season— tied for the most in the league. On top of that, they’ll often be playing the second night of those back-to-backs against teams that had a day off, stacking the deck even further against them. It’s a recipe for disaster for a franchise that still doesn’t know when or if Embiid will be fully healthy.

Embiid played just 19 games last season before shutting it down for knee surgery. He won’t be in any hurry to jump into intense, back-to-back environments. Yet that’s exactly what the Sixers are looking at this year. Back-to-backs demand minutes, energy and risk flare-ups—the stuff Embiid can’t afford right now.

This schedule doesn’t just complicate things—it forces Philly into tough choices. Do the Sixers start the season slow to protect Embiid? Do they sit him out of back-to-backs from the jump? Coach Nurse has already signaled this won’t be a straight path, and that’s before you factor in the added pressure from fans, media and the franchise after a dismal 24-58 record without their MVP.

It’s not just about health—it’s about preserving the big picture. If Embiid gets hurt again early, it could scuttle Philly’s entire season. The Sixers are banking on his return to shape their identity—and now, the calendar is working against them.

There’s hope—Nurse and the team have been positive in updates—and maybe the team can manage the back-to-backs in a way that protects Embiid. But right now, the schedule looks like more trouble than most analysts expected. For Embiid and Philly fans, the clock keeps ticking and the road ahead doesn’t just test status—it tests survival.