Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown says that despite not practicing on Sunday, he still expects star center Joel Embiid to practice on Monday and play in the team’s season opener against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jessica Camerato reports.

Embiid did not take part in practice due to a left ankle sprain. He also underwent some rehab on his surgically repaired left knee. However, the big man was still able to put up some shots after practice.

Embiid played in two of the Sixers’ preseason games upon signing his new five-year contract extension. He was outstanding in his debut against the Brooklyn Nets as he put up 22 points on just nine shots in 15 minutes of action to lead the Sixers to an impressive 133-114 win.

Although, he had a much tougher time in his next game against the Miami Heat where he went just 1-of-7 from the floor and had five points overall in 15 minutes of work.

With Embiid’s extensive injury history, even the slightest injury should be deemed somewhat significant. And given the large investment they’ve recently made on him, the Sixers will likely take every precaution when it comes to their young big man’s health.

However, if he practices as expected on Monday as well as in succeeding days and doesn’t appear to suffer any lingering effects of that ankle sprain, then there should be no reason to hold him out for the season opener against Washington.