Elton Brand won’t play tomorrow night when the Sixers host Portland.

But after his second straight practice, he’s optimistic that he’ll be back on the court soon, maybe as soon as this weekend.

“We’re gonna leave it up to the training staff, the doctors,” he said. “We’re gonna meet again, but maybe both or maybe the second one. It’s gonna be gradual. It’s not gonna be an automatic 38 minutes.”

Although Brand’s minutes might be monitored, he said he won’t hold back on the court.

“I just can’t play like that. That’s how I got in this position in the first place. I’ve just got to dive for loose balls, block shots and anchor the defense and score buckets, do what I have to do.”