Sixers spurn Philly fans to preserve Joel Embiid for national TV

Sixers fans are flocking to the Wells Fargo Center to watch rookie Joel Embiid play.

He is the early leader to win the Rookie of the Year award and has been impressing on both ends of the floor offensively and defensively.

He’s been on a minutes restriction — which is frustrating to both Embiid himself and to adoring Philly fans. He’s also sat out the second half of back-to-backs twice this season while only playing in one road game (Monday in Houston).

But things got a little messy Wednesday afternoon, when the team announced that instead of continuing to play home games and in the front end of back-to-backs, he is sitting Wednesday night against the Wizards at home and will play in Minnesota, at 8 p.m. on TNT Thursday.

The national TV appeal of Embiidagainst Karl Anthony-Towns at center is undeniable. As is the neglect the team is showing paying customers who have supported the team all year by purchasing tickets.

While local fans are feeling screwed over, and many might skip the Wizards game (though Jahlil Okafor has been cleared to play both games of the back-to-back), fans can at least take solace in the fact that there’s less of a chance the Sixers embarrass themselves on TNT in front of a much bigger audience with Embiid in the game.