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Embiid cleared to play in season opener

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

Joel Embiid is ready to go.

The Philadelphia 76ers center will start Wednesday against the Washington Wizards, head coach Brett Brown told reporters, according to Jessica Camerato of NBC Sports.

Embiid has been limited by a mild ankle sprain that sidelined him for three of five preseason contests.

Earlier this week, Brown estimated the oft-injured big man will be limited to minutes "in the teens," which did not sit well with Embiid.

In addition to the minutes restriction, The Process will embark on his sophomore campaign with a new look:

Philly's future might depend on Embiid's health. He missed two full seasons due to injuries after he was drafted in 2014, and was shut down after just 31 games last year.

When he did play, he looked like a promising young star, notching 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, and 2.1 assists in 25.4 minutes per contest. The small sample was enough to convince the Sixers to lock up the 23-year-old with a five-year, $148-million extension.

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