Joel Embiid's Back Injury 'Nothing to Be Concerned About,' per 76ers' Doc Rivers

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid's back injury is "nothing to be concerned about," head coach Doc Rivers told reporters after Sunday's 118-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Embiid was a late scratch Sunday because of back tightness. He's posted 28.0 points and 12.0 rebounds through two games for the 76ers.

The 26-year-old averaged 23.2 points, 11.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game for the 76ers during the 2019-20 regular season. He made his third consecutive All-Star Game and guided Philadelphia to the postseason for the third straight year as well.

The dominant 7-footer was limited to 51 games because of rest and injuries that included a right ankle sprain, a left hip contusion, an illness, left knee soreness, a torn radial collateral ligament in his left hand, a left shoulder sprain and a sprained left ankle.

Philadelphia was just 12-10 without Embiid in the lineup in 2019-20 and could use him back as soon as possible.

The 76ers have been hit hard by injuries in recent years. Of note, All-Star point guard Ben Simmons had to leave the Walt Disney World campus during the NBA's restart to have left knee surgery. He missed the team's first-round playoff series loss to the Boston Celtics.

Should Embiid miss more time, Tobias Harris and Simmons should be called upon to handle the bulk of the team's scoring.

Dwight Howard, who was signed in the offseason to be Embiid's backup, will likely continue to replace the big man in the starting lineup.