Nick Nurse says no minutes restriction for Joel Embiid in return to Sixers

Coach Nick Nurse says there is no minutes restriction for Joel Embiid in his return to the floor for the Philadelphia 76ers.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers will have Joel Embiid return to the floor on Tuesday when they play host to the Chicago Bulls. The reigning league MVP missed the entirety of the four-game road trip as the Sixers went 2-2 without him.

As Embiid returns from a right ankle sprain, one has to wonder if there is a minutes restriction on the big fella. After all, the Sixers want to deliver the healthiest version of Embiid to the playoffs when the games matter the most.

“No, not on Joel,” said coach Nick Nurse prior to the game. “There’s still a restriction on (Nic) Batum, but not on Joel.”

While Embiid appears to be at full throttle in his return to the floor, Batum will still need to work through some restrictions. He missed five games with a right hamstring strain and is preparing for his second game back from injury.

The tip between the Sixers and the Bulls is set for 7 p.m. EST on Tuesday.

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