By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly Editor
The NBA season begins tonight, but the Philadelphia 76ers kick-off their 2016-17 campaign on Wednesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Wells Fargo Center. Although Ben Simmons will be out for at least three months, fans will still get the opportunity to see Joel Embiid and Dario Saric in regular season NBA action.
The Sixers wrapped up their final practice before Wednesday's opener and afterwards, Brett Brown addressed playing time for a few players, most notably of course, Joel Embiid. After starting the season with a 12-minute restriction, the 7-foot-2 big man will be on a 20-minute allotment.
Coach Brown says Joel Embiid is locked in for 20 minutes against OKC, with stints coming in four clumps of five minutes.
— Philadelphia 76ers (@Sixers) October 25, 2016
Brown didn't reveal the amount of minutes that Jahlil Okafor is expected to play just yet, but Richaun Holmes will pick up the remaining time at center. The Sixers head coach told CSNPhilly.com that they will know better tomorrow how many four-minute clumps Jahlil Okafor will have.
In addition to the big man situation, Brown was also asked about who will start at point guard between Sergio Rodriguez and T.J. McConnell. Rodriguez started the final two preseason games after McConnell started the first five.
Brown still working on starting point guard decision. Also feels that, in heart of hearts, Jerami Grant best fit at small forward.
— Brian Seltzer (@brianseltzer) October 25, 2016
Both Rodriguez and McConnell will have a tough task in guarding Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook.
The Sixers and Thunder tip-off at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday.