Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse is facing heavy criticism over the amount of time he's playing superstar center Joel Embiid.
Philadelphia 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid is thriving in 2026.
Since Jan. 1, the seven-time All-Star is averaging 29.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on 53.5% shooting in 17 games played. However, he's doing so playing 34.2 minutes per game.
Given Embiid's extensive history of injuries, having him on the floor this much during the regular season doesn't feel like the most logical blueprint.
Radio analyst Spike Eskin is among those frustrated by coach Nick Nurse's usage of Embiid in recent months.
"Look, maybe he goes through the All-Star break and everything's fine. There was no way he was getting through the year without missing games because of a knee, but the fact that he has been playing 34.5 minutes per game over the last month and a half is psychotic," Eskin said on 94WIP Sports Radio. "It is a psychotic, dumb thing for them to do. It's dumb for him to do. It's dumb for them to do."
Eskin continued, "That is the most minutes he's ever played in a season was 34.5 minutes a game, and for the last almost two months he's been averaging 34.5 minutes a game. I don't care if they lose games. He can't play 34.5 minutes a game and expect to get through the season and get to the playoffs, which they want him to do healthy. There's no way."
Nurse playing Embiid a hefty amount of minutes shouldn't come as a surprise to those familiar with his coaching style.
76ers All-Star Tyrese Maxey is playing a league-high 38.6 minutes per game this season, while rookie guard V.J. Edgecombe is No. 9 in minutes per game with 35.4.
The 76ers are the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference at the All-Star break, so they're just one spot away from taking part in the Play-In Tournament. While it's understandable Nurse is looking to win games now, Philadelphia needs Embiid healthy to have any chance of emerging victorious in the postseason.
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