Recently, Embiid was ruled out for the remainder of the preseason due to complications with his surgically repaired left knee, further complicating his participation in the upcoming season.

Paul Pierce has warned that Embiid's load management strategy could adversely affect the Philadelphia 76ers' playoff seeding.

In contrast to Embiid's approach, Garnett was known for his durability, having played all 82 games in four seasons and at least 71 games in 12 of his first 13 seasons.

NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett has publicly criticized Joel Embiid's decision to refrain from playing in back-to-back games, emphasizing that completing the full 82-game season is a fundamental part of being an NBA player.

Garnett expressed his frustration with players who do not commit to the entire season, stating that rest should be reserved for the offseason after the playoffs.

He passionately remarked, 'Eighty-two games, man. This is what the f--king job calls for,' highlighting his strong stance on player accountability.

Last season, Embiid played only 39 games, raising concerns about his eligibility for major awards that require at least 65 games played.

Despite Garnett's criticism, Embiid remains one of the top players in the league, although his limited playing time could impact his chances for individual accolades.

In an effort to improve his health, Embiid lost 25-30 pounds following his gold medal win with Team USA at the Paris Olympics and aims to maintain his fitness for the postseason.

Philadelphia 76ers president Daryl Morey has supported Embiid's decision, indicating a strategic approach to player management that may limit back-to-back appearances for both Embiid and teammate Paul George.

Embiid himself acknowledged, 'If I had to guess, I would probably never play back-to-backs the rest of my career,' indicating a long-term commitment to load management.

Embiid's career has been marred by injuries, as he has never played more than 68 games in a season since being drafted in 2014.