The 76ers decided to sit out Joel Embiid minutes before Philadelphia's 131-124 loss to the Pelicans on Sunday because of stiffness in the 7-foot center's back.
Embiid was expected to play in New Orleans after sitting out Saturday night's loss to Cleveland to rest his surgically repaired knee.
Embiid, who has averaged 23.5 points and 11.1 rebounds in 21 games, had offseason surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee and the Sixers have been limiting his playing time, including not playing him on back-to-back nights.
Philadelphia also held out guard T.