The Philadelphia 76ers handily took care of business against the Chicago Bulls on Monday, 126-107. But it was rather curious that Philly closed the game with Dean Wade and Adem Bona splitting time at the five even though Joel Embiid was on the active roster for the night.

Embiid left the game with 3:51 remaining in the third quarter and did not return to the game, and considering his lengthy injury history, this might have caused some 76ers fans worry. However, the 76ers star clarified that he simply did not suit up towards the end of their win over the Bulls since he was under a minutes restriction, as per Adam Aaronson of The Philly Voice.

76ers head coach Nick Nurse also seconded this, as he said that Embiid was “okay” and that limiting his minutes on the night was part of the team's decision to help manage the foot issue he's been dealing with.

It helped that the 76ers were already winning their contest against the Bulls in convincing fashion, so they did not have to bring out Embiid and tempt fate with regards to his nagging foot issue.

Embiid, in just 25 minutes of play, put up 15 points, eight rebounds, and three assists on 5-of-11 shooting from the field.

Considering how the 76ers are playing the long game, there is no surprise whatsoever that they are taking every opportunity they can to give Embiid some rest.

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They stacked the roster with the likes of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James to help ease the workload that Embiid has to take in in the regular season. Moreover, Tyrese Maxey has been brilliant all season long, and he had another stellar outing (26 points and 11 assists) to lead Philly.

Embiid missed a total of 150 games over the past three seasons, and he is surely going to sit out all back-to-backs for the 76ers this year. But if he enters the playoffs fresh, that could make all the difference for Philly.