Joel Embiid will sit out Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets, but is slated to play on Sunday when the Philadelphia 76ers take on the Orlando Magic, according to Derek Bodner of The Athletic.

The Sixers are already employing the load management plan they have in place for Embiid, who played a career-high 64 games last season but tailed off during the postseason, hurting from knee tendinitis and a back strain that limited his participation in the Sixers' playoff run.

The plan is to have Embiid play in more games but play less minutes per game, allowing his knees to rest for longer and not build as much strain between games. Philly could also opt to limit his participation in back-to-back games, while also allowing him to gear himself into regular season shape by taking part in practices rather than preseason games.

The big man has hefty goals for this season, including winning 60 games, playing in 70, and taking aim at the Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards. Embiid is still hurting from a deflating Game 7 loss at the hands of the Toronto Raptors, one that crashed down on the Sixers after they appeared to be on an upward trajectory.

Embiid posted career highs across the board, averaging 27.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.9 blocks on the season.