The NBA is likely to open an investigation later this week into the Philadelphia 76ers regarding the involvement of star center Joel Embiid, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
Embiid did not play in preseason games due to what the team called left knee injury management and will miss three games this week – including the season opener Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, Friday against the Toronto Raptors and Sunday against the Indiana Pacers.
It is common for the NBA to investigate a team whenever a star player misses a nationally televised game, per the player participation policy.
The 76ers said Embiid was “responding well to his individualized plan” and would step up.
This maneuver would be part of the new normal for Embiid this season. According to sources, the strategy is aimed at keeping the former MVP healthy for the playoffs. The plan is expected to include periodic time off during the regular season and routine evaluations by 76ers doctors and medical staff, these sources added.
Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey told Tim Bontemps d’ESPN earlier this month that the team would try to keep Embiid and Paul George on the sidelines more often this season. “We’re going to be smart about it. Part of this intelligence is that Paul [George] and Joel probably don’t play many consecutive games. »
Embiid also told Bontemps that “if I had to guess, I would probably never play two days in a row the rest of my career.” »
Embiid has lost 25 to 30 pounds, with hopes of losing more, and will continue to wear a brace on his left knee even though it’s something he would prefer not to do.
Embiid only played in 39 games last season due to knee injuries. He returned in time to play against the New York Knicks in the playoffs, but he did so while not 100% recovered. He was also affected by Bell’s Palsy during the series. He then played for Team USA that summer, helping the Americans win a fifth straight gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
