The NBA wants its best players to play as many games as possible. With the new NBA culture of rest and injury management, the league is getting stricter on checking whether players are truly injured. Former MVP Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers will be the subject of the NBA’s first player participation investigation. NBA fans are continuously asking: Why isn’t Embiid playing tonight? Now, the investigation will answer their question and look into the Embiid injury.
NBA Likely To Investigate Former MVP’s Player Participation
Joel Embiid Investigation
ESPN’s new NBA insider, Shams Charania, reported Wednesday that the NBA will be investigating the 76ers around the player participation of their All-NBA star, Joel Embiid. Embiid’s injuries have been a large conversation around the league. The big man is undoubtedly one of the best players in the game but often finds himself missing time with injuries or rest.
76ers: Joel Embiid and Paul George are out for opener vs. Bucks on Wednesday. Embiid is progressing well and ramping up, scrimmaging this week. He will not play this week. George will be re-evaluated later in the week. pic.twitter.com/oDFyAx1mbz
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 22, 2024
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In the league’s player participation policy, designed to prevent the best players from sitting out nationally televised games, Embiid would be required to play in the season opener against Milwaukee unless the team can provide a valid and league-approved reason. Injuries are considered valid, so it is expected that the Sixers medical staff can prove Embiid is legitimately hurt.
Because Embiid is missing with “left knee injury management,” the league wants to ensure that there is a real injury. Sixers General Manager Daryl Morey mentioned that the team will play things safe with both Embiid and recently acquired star Paul George when it comes to injuries and injury management.
Embiid’s Injuries
Embiid missed the whole preseason. It also was announced that he will also be missing at least the first three games of the regular season. The Sixers are more focused on the long-term health of Embiid. His being healthy come playoff time is paramount. It seems unlikely they would have Embiid miss three games without reason.
The NBA is likely to commence an investigation into the Philadelphia 76ers surrounding the player participation of All-NBA center Joel Embiid, sources told ESPN. More to come on NBA Today on ESPN right now. pic.twitter.com/WwZNHgLLcl
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 23, 2024
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Sixers fans should expect more of this throughout the season. After multiple years of Embiid dominating during the regular season only to get hurt in the playoffs, the Sixers are changing their injury management strategy for their star.
In a recent interview with Tim Bontempts, Embiid said,
“If I had to guess, I would probably never play back-to-backs the rest of my career.”
Stars like Kawhi Leonard have adopted this type of injury management strategy to mix results.
Sixers Thinking Ahead
With #NBA conducting an investigation on Joel Embiid missing games I asked #Sixers HC Nick Nurse his thoughts. @SportsRadioWIP pic.twitter.com/p4MMSxYXc1
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) October 23, 2024
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Embiid has been plagued by injuries for his entire career. He missed his first two seasons with injury, and since then, has failed to play 70 games even once. Last season, he played only 39 games.
Now that Embiid has gotten his coveted MVP award, individual accolades are no longer his core focus. With the league’s new policy of requiring a player to play 65 games to be eligible for major awards, Embiid will likely be disqualified anyway. He has only played more than 65 games twice in his entire career.
Embiid has his eyes on grabbing his first NBA championship. With teammate Tyrese Maxey becoming a rising star and the team acquiring George, he may have a good shot. The Embiid investigation likely won’t result in much. It is interesting however to see the league policing its new policies.
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