Embiid ready for more minutes; Okafor, Noel status unclear

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Philadelphia 76ers oft-injured center Joel Embiid could potentially play in both ends of back-to-back games this season.

Sixers coach Brett Brown also says Jahlil Okafor should be ready for opening night on Oct. 26 in his recovery from surgery on his right knee. Brown says Nerlens Noel may not be ready for the opener as he recovers from a groin injury.

Embiid sat out the last two seasons because a broken right foot and had been on a minutes restriction in the preseason. Brown has increased Embiid's minutes and says he may be ready to handle the grind of back-to-back games. The Sixers first set of consecutive games is Nov. 1 and 2.

Okafor has been sidelined since he had surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his knee in March. Noel says he was hurt in the first week of training camp and has not played in the preseason.