Coming out of the All-Star break, the health of Joel Embiid has been a major topic for the Philadelphia 76ers. The former MVP made some choice comments after Thursday's loss to the Boston Celtics. Then,

Coach Nick Nurse explains his decision not to play Joel Embiid in the 4th quarter in the loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

76ers coach Nick Nurse attributed the decision to keep Embiid on the bench for the final quarter so that they wouldn't disrupt the the team's rhythm. “That group was just playing so well together and had good feel for the game at that point, and just wanted to let them roll with it," Nurse told reporters.

The Sixers sit three games back of the Chicago Bulls for the final play-in spot with 24 games remaining and they are looking to win as many games as possible. In order to do that, the Sixers have to stop putting themselves behind the 8-ball early.

Nick Nurse decided to keep Joel Embiid on the bench in the fourth quarter. The Nets went on to beat the 76ers.

Joel Embiid got benched and the 76ers got beat at the horn. A season full of championship hopes has turned into a debacle for the 76ers.

Sixers star Joel Embiid sat out the final quarter of Saturday's loss to the Nets, with coach Nick Nurse admitting the ex-NBA MVP is "not himself."